By Fr Daresh Rathwa for BISMumbai

Piloo Modi School and Don Bosco English Medium School, Narukot, together hosted the much-awaited Annual Sports Day on 15 December 2023. It was held for students from Nursery to Grade 6 in the English Medium while from Grade 9 to 12 in the Gujarati Medium, and their parents were invited to the event.

The morning was filled with great energy, excitement and a lively atmosphere, despite the chilly weather. The event began with the Guard of Honour escorting the Chief Guest, Mr Dhiran Macwan, the Charity Commissioner of the Godhra, and the Guest of Honour, Fr Stanny Ferreira, the Rector of Don Bosco Narukot. The event proceeded with the lighting of the lamp and the prayer dance, inducing a sense of solemnity for this great event. After the chief guest was felicitated, Fr Ferreira addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance given to sports in the Don Bosco educational system so that they contribute to a student's holistic development.

A disciplined marchpast was followed by the lighting of the torch by the previous year’s outstanding sportspersons. This was followed by the students taking the sportsperson’s oath. The Chief Guest, Mr Macwan, declared the Annual Sports Day open. After a display of mass drills and an energetic dance, Mr Macwan addressed the gathering and enumerated the importance of sports and how they play a vital role in one's overall development as a human being. 

The students were geared up for various track and field events across all the groups. It was a wonderful display of agility, coordination, strength and stamina by the students as they took part in athletics and other field events. The parents, gathered in large numbers, constantly applauded the enthusiastic young sports stars. The parents and staff, too, got a chance to put their best foot forward with the animated games being conducted for them.

The event emphasised the importance of sports in a student’s life and their physical and mental development. It was a day filled with a spirit of sportsmanship, enthusiasm and memories to cherish. The day ended with the singing of the national anthem.