In a significant step towards holistic maritime education, Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT), Chennai inaugurated its newly built Sports Complex at its Pre-Sea Campus in Kalpakkam on 29th July 2025. The state-of-the-art facility was declared open by Sushil Mansingh Khopde, IPS, Additional Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India, in the presence of senior maritime dignitaries, faculty, staff, and all HIMT cadets.
He was joined by S. Satyanarayana Murty, Engineer & Ship Surveyor cum Deputy Director General (Tech), Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Chennai, who graced the event as Guest of Honor.
The HIMT Sports Complex reflects the institution’s belief that seafarers must be fit not only in knowledge and technical skill, but also in body and mindset — by testing grit, building strength, and fostering camaraderie among cadets. The brand-new outdoor sports facility, featuring a football & cricket turf, a basketball court, and 2 pickleball courts is designed to promote teamwork, stamina, and mental resilience — traits vital to success at sea.
Chief Guest Sushil Mansingh Khopde, IPS, in his keynote address, reflected on the role of sports in shaping both character and clarity. A passionate sportsman himself and former captain of his college volleyball team, he shared how regular athletic activity serves as a form of meditation, relieving both professional and personal stress. He praised HIMT not only for its focus on physical fitness but also for its earnest commitment to integrating technology in training and student placement. Noting that HIMT is the first maritime training institute he has visited outside Maharashtra, he acknowledged the effort required to ensure cadets are industry-ready. He praised HIMT for a forward-thinking attitude specifically mentioning the VR facility in which he considered them Industry Leaders
Guest of Honour S. Satyanarayana Murty offered an impactful message, underscoring the importance of academic diligence. Drawing from his own early experiences at sea, he shared how the absence of strong mentorship onboard taught him the value of self-driven learning. He encouraged cadets to make the most of their time at HIMT, emphasizing that mastering core subjects now lays the foundation for competence and confidence in future professional life.
The inaugural ceremony was marked by a series of activities that showcased HIMT’s signature discipline and execution—from a Guard of Honour and March Past. The dignitaries were received with traditional honours, including a floral welcome and the ceremonial planting of a sapling by Sushil Mansingh Khopde, IPS — a quiet nod to HIMT’s ethos of sustainability and respect for tradition.
This was followed by the formal inauguration and tour of the new sports facility. The inauguration featured a symbolic football kickoff and a pickleball serve, leading up to the highlight moment when the Chief Guest successfully hooped a basket, sparking loud cheers from the cadets.
Both guests later engaged with the cadets on the outdoor basketball court, taking a few well-aimed shots to enthusiastic applause. Khopde expressed particular interest in the pickleball setup — his first time seeing the sport outside of television — and appreciated its growing relevance in campus sports.
The guided campus tour began at the playground and DB tank, moving through the MERIT Block: VR room, Gangway, Seamanship Lab, and Steering Room. The delegation then visited the BSW area, Library, and Electrical Workshops and ended with a brief look at the indoor games area on the way to the auditorium.
The event closed with the national anthem and a group photo session, followed by an informal interaction and refreshments in the Galley Conference Room. Guests later visited the HIMT Mock-up Facility, where cadets undergo practical training in Fire Fighting, PSCRB, and other safety drills — a vital component of HIMT’s hands-on training model.
