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First Indian ever to represent at the World Master’s Orienteering Championship 2025 – Spain

Have you heard of a sport called “Orienteering”? If not, its time to find out because India just made a history. 50 Countries at this international event and India was one of them for the FIRST TIME ever.



Mr. Sayeesha Sridhara Kirani from Bengaluru, Karnataka became the Only and First Athlete to represent India at this level on a final stage at Girona, Spain hosted by The Catalan Orienteering Federation (FCOC) sanctioned by International Orienteering Federation, Sweden. Where more than 3000 Athletes participated however, Sayeesh was the only Indian representing.


This 100-year-old sport known as “Thinking Sport” born in Sweden has its own world championships. Similar to other sports it has age groups such as U10 to 100 years Men and Women compete in disciplines such as Foot-O (Sprint and Forest), MTB-O, Kayak-O & Skiing-O. The core of this sport is Navigation. Athlete either run, cycle, kayak or Skii on a non-marked course navigating their way to each checkpoint by using a specially designed map and a compass on an unfamiliar terrain while moving at a speed. This sport has its own set of rules, qualification rounds, embargo’s, global ranking, and has youth as well as master’s championship. This sport has made it to education curriculum to various European and Oceania schools as the sport develops cognitive skills, leadership, decision making and many more skills hence producing World Champions year on year. Orienteering is also part of The World Games hosted by International World Games Association. At this years World Games hosted in China, Switzerland and Sweden won the maximum Golds. Also, this sport will soon going to be part of Olympics.


Orienteering is gaining momentum in India and kudos to the efforts by NthAdventure who is working around the year to create multiple opportunities to train, skill building through training sessions, racing platforms for students to adults to master’s to be international standard race ready. This sports also promotes Adventure Tourism, Youth development and developing life-skill. Under the leadership of Sayeesh, Nthadventure Orienteering Club previously won one Gold and two Silver at the introductory Indonesia Orienteering Event in 2024. And he also took teams to represent India at the Asian Orienteering Championship in December 2024 in Thailand and Singapore.



Sayeesh’s participation opens a conversation about the sport and the path for many young athletes who have skill and talent. NthAdventure is doing their bit and now aims to take as many athletes as possible to represent the country in upcoming championships and at the World Games 2029.



India too has a greater potential in the sport of Orienteering with the right support from Government and other stakeholders in recognizing and supporting, India can excel at global platforms.


Join hands and be part of this mission.


About NthAdventure: NthAdventure is India's premier and only licensed organization in India to host Adventure Racing from Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) - USA. NthAdventure’s prime focus is to grow and build Adventure Racing and Orienteering community in India. Both the Race Directors have been part of multiple Expedition Races and have been conducting workshops, training sessions, webinars, and multiple sprint races since 2016 to help Indian teams race ready at global stages.


For more information about NthAdventure and upcoming races visit: https://www.nthadventure.com/ 


 
 
 

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