Chennithala inaugurates VENDA Cup inter-school football tournament against drug abuse
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala inaugurated the ninth edition of the VENDA Cup 2026 - Game for S.A.F.E. (Substance Abuse-Free Environment) at the Jimmy George Sports Hub in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Chennithala emphasized the significance of such initiatives in supporting Operation Toofan and achieving a drug-free Kerala. Sports Minister O.J.
Janeesh highlighted the crucial role of sports in eradicating substance abuse from society, stating that awareness programs combined with sports opportunities are vital. The VENDA Cup, the state's largest inter-school football tournament against drug abuse, brought together 1,600 players from 160 school teams across all 14 districts of Kerala.
Competing in four zones - Kannur, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ernakulam - the teams advanced through zonal qualifiers until the State Championships on October 23 and 24 in Ernakulam.
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