The BOSM English Press sat down with Kavya Aithal, the captain of the girls’ athletics team, to talk about her squad’s preparations for BOSM 2026.

Kavya stated that athletics events at this BOSM would be classified into three main categories: running, jumping, and throwing. She explained that running events were divided into short and long distances across individual, relay, and mixed categories. Throwing events included shot put and discus, while jumping events comprised long jump, high jump, and triple jump. Kavya mentioned that the 400m race was her personal favourite event because athletes had to give their best in speed and had ‘to cover up against the other participants’ in just ‘one round of Gym-G’. She also pointed out that evening events and short-distance sprints, such as 100m and relays, usually drew the largest crowds.

Kavya stated that team practices took place every day for about two hours, except Sundays. Each athlete followed a different training regimen tailored specifically to their event. Kavya explained that practice sessions remained regular throughout the year to maintain speed, stamina, and endurance, but became pretty hectic leading up to BOSM as everyone tried to be the best version of themselves on the track.

Regarding recruitments, Kavya explained that the team held trials with a hard cutoff of 17-18 seconds for the girls’ 100m event. Participants who cleared the trials were then placed on a month-long probation to evaluate their regularity and discipline before final selection. She noted that participation was especially positive this year, with the team expanding to 10 to 11 girls, allowing them to secure almost full participation in almost every event.

Kavya explained that the scoring system awarded points to individual performers, which accumulated toward the overall team tally. She added that relays awarded ‘double the points’, while events with fewer participants awarded points only to the top one or two finishers.

Reflecting on the competition, Kavya stated that O.P. Jindal Global University had strong athletes, so the team had to really focus on winning. Other strong competitors included Thapar University, IIT Delhi, and IIT Indore.

Speaking on her role as a captain, Kavya admitted that stepping up brought ‘a little more pressure and expectation’ compared to being an athlete. However, she noted that things went smoothly because she and her vice-captain, Medha, always discussed everything and had fun. Kavya stated that her primary goals for this year’s BOSM were to win ‘the overall team trophy’, secure most valuable player awards, and help every team member break their own personal records.

Sharing a secret about the sport, Kavya talked about the natural ‘runner’s high’, explaining that running releases dopamine and endorphins that yield a natural state of euphoria and a daily dose of happiness after a hard day. Kavya concluded by advising first-year athletes not to worry too much about winning medals, but to enjoy the opportunity to represent BITS, bond with the team, and ‘make the best out of it’.