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GYMNASTICS, KARATE, YOGA AND SILAMBAM MADE ANTONY’S 150 SPORTS DAY SPECIAL

BY P S SUNDAR

The 150^th Annual Sports Day of St Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, held on Aug 7, 2015, gave life to four life-mentoring sport-forms – gymnastics, karate, yoga and Silambam, thanks to the determination of Headmaster and Correspondent Bro Arul to introduce them to the youth.

District Educational Officer N Lingaraj, an old student of the school, hoisted the National Flag and declared open the Sports Meet.  

Along with him, S Shyamala, co-ordinator of Think Tank Management Resources Group, let fly the colourful balloons while, I as Guest of Honour, let fly dove to mark the symbol of peaceful sports.

Lingaraj accepted salute of those who staged an impressive March Past.  Athletes’ of the school who had excelled in district, state and national sports brought in and lit Olympic Torch with motorcycle riders escorting them.  

Athletes of all the four Houses – Antony, Gabriel, Montfort and Loyola – took oath to compete with pure sportsmanship.

The events began with Montfort drill and there were several field competitive items for the kids, juniors, seniors and super seniors.

To energise old students, there were 400 metres running for those below 30 years and walking for those older than 30.

Students of Gabriel House exhibited their talent in Gymnastics and came out with human pyramids.

Students of Montfort House thrilled the audience with their Karate performance which included tube light smashing and brick breaking.   “We have engaged a professional karate master to train them.  We will have regular karate classes soon”, Bro Arul told me.

Students of Loyola House demonstrated various Asanas as part of Yoga.  “We engaged Yoga teachers from the ’Art of Living’ institution to train our children.  We are working on making yoga a regular part of physical and mental training.  I am myself performing yoga daily”, Bro Arul told me.   The Masters of Ceremony explained each Asana.

Students of Antony House gave a scintillating performance of Silambam, the martial sport of Tamils.   Events like jumping through fire circle, spitting fire and fire-based display of Antony’s drew prolonged applause.   “We trained them on this art-form because it is a traditional sport existing only during village festivals”, Bro Arul told me.

A drill on the theme “Go Green; Go Clean” urges all to remain eco-sensitive.  The mass drill was attractive for unison, colour and variety.   The formation of students to hail the 150^th year was captivating.

The XII standard students did a ‘farewell march-past’ as this was their last sports day in the school.  “Some of them have spent close to 14 years in this school”, Bro Arul told me.   The students carried placards on ‘Go Green; Go Clean’ theme.

Collectively, all the 1825 students of the school participated in one way or the other.

Prizes were distributed to winners.    Individual championship was bagged by Dinesh Kumar (junior), Pradeep Julien (senior), Anish Richard (super senior) while ‘Antony House’ was crowned the overall champion.

 

When I was asked to deliver ‘Guest of Honour’ address, besides appreciating all on the excellent sports day presentation, I urged the students to maintain heavenly health with clean habits and grow-up with a mindset to donate blood, organs and even the body to the needy.  “A person can donate such parts to give life to 50 persons”, I noted.

“I am very happy that you sensitised the students on such donation.  We encourage students to maintain sound physical health through regular exercises and games.  We advise them to be physically active and grow up realising the need to save lives through blood, organ and cadaver donation”, Lingaraj told me.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmailcom)