The much awaited mining sporting extravaganza of Tata Steel the 44th Mines Annual Sports( MAS) was organised at Joda on January 28 and 29, 2017. In the glittering opening ceremony, Mr Anand Sen, President, TQM & Steel Business, Tata Steel, Chief Guest of the event formally inaugurated it on January 28, 2017 at Central playground of Joda in presence of Mr Rajeev Singhal, VP, RM, Guest of Honour, Mr R R Satpathy, GM, O, FAMD and Chairman, Organising Committee of44th MAS,  Mr Pankaj Satija, GM, OM&Q, Mr Mukesh Ranjan, Chief, Joda and other dignitaries.

After lighting up the game flame by the torch bearers, Mr Sen unfurled the flag of the 44th Mines Annual Sports organised by Manganese and Flux business of FAMD and formally launched it by releasing  balloons to thundering applause from the athletes and spectators alike. There were also fireworks. Then followed the colourful march past and beautiful cultural programmes by school children.

Wishing the participants all the very best Mr Sen said such events promote sportsmanship spirit among the athletes and bring best out of them. He also suggested to include newer games in the Mining Annual Sports in coming days to make it more attractive. Mr Singhal, congratulated the orgainsers for the colourful arrangement of the event and urged the athletes to perform their best. He said there should be more participation in the game in the next edition with inclusion of newer events.

Around 470 sports persons, including 30 women, from 4 divisions of Tata Steel OMQ Joda, OMQ Noamundi, FAM Chromium Business, FAM Manganese and Flux business along with Tata Sponge team participated in 42 disciplines in the two day event. Along with serious events like 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre, 5000 metre run, walk, cycling, shut put, javelin, and discuss throw which saw rush of adrenaline among the athletes to score over their rivals, there were also some funny games like pillow fighting, tug of war, bombarding the city, etc. which drew much cheers and applause from the crowd.

Given the nature of the event and number of participants 15 games were organised earlier to this two day sports extravaganza starting from October 22, 2016 in 8 different locations like Noamundi, Sukinda, Bamnipal, Tata Sponge, etc. where teams clashed with each other in games like volleyball, football, hockey, chess, archery, etc.

Joining as Chief Guest on the concluding day Mr  Suresh Dutt Tripathi, VP, HRM, Tata Steel honoured the winning teams and best male and female athlete of the game. Addressing the gathering he said losing or winning will always be there in any game but its more important to participate in it teaches team spirit.

Dignitaries including Mr D B Sundara Ramam, EIC, FAMD, Mr Sanjay Birmani, Chief, OM&Q, had also graced the closing ceremony. 

OMQ, Joda team was declared champion with 245 points while OMQ Noamundi team came as second with 178 points, FAMD Managenese and flux came third with 82 points, FAMD Chromium business managed fourth place with 76 points pushing Tata Sponge team to the last position with just 19 points. S S Manjerakar best male athlete award went to Mr Ranjit Gope of OMQ Noamundi while Ms Mohini Tiria of FAP, Joda bagged the same award in female category.

The tow day sporting extravaganza concluded with scintillating cultural; programme by school children.