Inter-school sports and games competition held at ISM
MUSCAT: Indian School Muscat witnessed great sportsmanship and camaraderie during the grand celebration of the 70th Republic Day of India when it organised the “Sports Fest” at its premises with much aplomb on Saturday, January 26, 2019. “The Khelo India” initiative was introduced by India to revive the sports culture in India at the grassroots level, to build a strong framework for all the sports played in the country and to establish India as a great sporting nation. The impetus to take up a new challenge resulted in the Sports Fest, a “Khelo India” initiative.
Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate, graced the special occasion as the Chief Guest. Members of the Board of Directors to the Indian Schools in the Sultanate and the members of the ISM School Management Committee, Principal Dr Rajeev Kumar Chauhan, Vice Principals, Assistant Vice Principals, Heads of various Departments, teachers, parents and students witnessed the proceedings of the inaugural ceremony.
Mahawar declared the Sports Fest open, which was followed by the ceremonial release of balloons. Thousands of students from five schools in the capital area—Indian School Darsait, Indian School Al Maabela, Indian School Al Seeb, Indian School Wadi Kabir and Indian School Muscat—participated with zest. Competitions in five events—basketball, volleyball, table tennis, athletics and badminton—were organised simultaneously at different venues.
The presence of G. S. Bhavani Prasad, Director, Board of Directors of Indian Schools in the Sultanate, as the Chief Guest; and Surya Narain, Chief Executive Officer, Office Supplies Co LLC; and Dhan Singh, national football player from India, as Guests of Honour, added to the grandeur of the Valedictory Function. The gathering also comprised esteemed Members of the Board of Directors to the Indian Schools in the Sultanate, members of the ISM School Management Committee, Principal Chauhan, Vice Principals, Assistant Vice Principals, and Heads of various Departments. Teachers, parents and students were also present to witness the programme.
The prize distribution ceremony took place in six phases with the Co-Convenor- SMC, Vice President- SMC, President SMCAjaykummar J, Guests of Honour Singh and Narain and Chief Guest Prasad felicitating the proud winners. In athletics, the winners were ISWK in the under-11 boys & girls, ISM in the under-14 boys & girls and in the under-17 boys & girls categories. The winners in basketball were ISWK in the under-14 & under-17 girls, ISM in the under-14 boys, and under-17 boys categories. The winners in badminton were ISM in the under-11 girls and under-14 boys, ISD in the under-11 boys and ISWK in the under-14 girls categories.
In table tennis, the winners were ISM in the under-11 girls, under-11 boys, under-14 girls, under-17 girls and ISM in the under-17 boys, ISWK in the under-14 boys categories. In volleyball, ISWK emerged winners in the under-14 girls, ISM in the under-14 boys, under-17 girls and under-17 boys categories. The overall runner up was Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir, while Indian School Muscat emerged as the overall champion.
The Chief Guest in his address stressed on the importance of sports in our lives and how it boosts solidarity and strengthens the bonds of camaraderie among students. The Chief Guest and Guests of Honour were presented with artworks and mementos as a token of appreciation and gratitude. The programme concluded on a positive note. The distinct message conveyed was to stimulate students for participation in sports and develop life skills of teamwork, collaboration, unity, fair play and oneness.