Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s (IES) formidable Basketball team for boys (under-12) set a historical record in the finals of the 4th IBA Interschool Mega Basketball Tournament held on April 16, 2016 on the premises of Indian Central School, Abbassiya, Kuwait. The tournament marked the maiden victory of Bhavan (IES) in the finals of IBA Basketball Tournament ever.
The Indian Basketball Association (IBA), an autonomous body, works for the development of basketball and sports culture amongst the Indian youth in Kuwait. The tournament, held from April 14 to 16, was well received by the Indian schools in Kuwait, and many participated for the same. The boys of Bhavan (IES) faced ICSK in their first match, and defeated them in style. The might of the team was once again proved in their second match against the dynamic DPS. The match had a nail-biting finish which took the Bhavanites to the final.
The frosting on the cake of the tournament was the final match held between IES and United Indian School (UIS) on April 16, Saturday. IES strategically thrashed UIS and lifted the IBA tournament trophy for the very first time in its history. The team remained invincible throughout the tournament and proved its might and mettle in achieving its goals. Devnarayan Jiju of 7D, the captain of the winning side, was declared ‘The Player of the Tournament’.
The President of the IBA gave away the trophies for the winners and the runners-up amidst thunderous applause. The following players of IES were awarded for their relentless effort and participation in the tournament: Devnarayan Jiju, the captain, Abraham Philip, Varun Srinivasarao Budati, Surya Manoj, Adithya Mahesh, Aditya Gupta, Prakhar Bhandari, Abdulla Mohamed Khamis, Thomas Ben Marcos, Rehan Malik Shaheer, Adrian Vremenkulam Peter and Evan Joseph Pynummoottil. IES under 10 girls team and under 16 boys team won the runners up and the fourth positions respectively.
This victory is special and a befitting tribute by the wunderkinds to their school that is celebrating a decade of excellence in education in the sands of Arabia.