“Champions are not born but made from something they have deep inside them. A desire, a dream, a vision.”– Many a spectator at Kaifan stadium must have reflected on these words of late Muhammed Ali when they witnessed the young Bhavanites celebrating the glory of sports in its truest sense during their eighth Annual Sports Meet at Kaifan Stadium, Kuwait City on November 26, 2016.

The students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kuwait had the rare privilege to have an internationally acclaimed sport star as the chief guest for the day. The illustrious presence of Captain Hussain Ali Al Musallam, a former Olympian in Swimming and the Director General of Olympic Council of Asia added more luster to the Annual Sports Meet and made it special for Bhavanites.

The Kaifan stadium rose to life when Bhavanites from all the branches of Bhavans, Kuwait, braving the wintry breeze, occupied the pavilions. The galleries looked like bright rainbows with their multi-color costumed occupants who had dressed up gaily for the drill displays. It was indeed the finest blend of colors, the daring display of agility, the perfectly precise march past, awe-inspiring athletic events, special events for the parents and the teachers, and what not? Every event carried the Bhavan’s stamp of novelty and perfection much to the amazement of the viewers.

The Annual Athletic Meet began on a sublime note with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The flag hoisting as a mark of respect to the State of Kuwait, and to India was performed by the chief guest Captain Hussain Ali Al Musallam and Mr. N. K. Ramachandran Menon, the chairman, Bhavans Middle East in the presence of Mr. T. Premkumar and Mr. Mahesh Iyer, the principals of Bhavans Kuwait, Mr. Suresh V Balakrishnan, the Senior Vice Principal, and Mr. Murugaiyan Subbarayalu, HoD, P.Ed.

Evelyn Biju, the school head girl presented bouquets of welcome to the guests and dignitaries. The BSS Students, Supreme Council Members, along with the Captains, Vice-captains, blossoms, and the senior students of the four houses of Bhavans paraded impressively in sync with bass drumbeats and brassy bugle notes. The marching teams exhibited military precision and decorous discipline all through the march past. The chief guest Captain Hussain Ali Al Musallam and Mr. N. K. Ramachandran Menon, the chairman, Bhavans Middle East escorted by the principals Mr. T. Premkumar, and Mr. Mahesh Iyer, received the reverential salute from the marching contingent.

The privileged torchbearers of Bhavans, the 20 athletes who won accolades galore in sports and athletic events in the school and national levels partook in the torch relay. The torch of continual flames was then lit by the sports captain (boys) Sai Krishnan Ajayakumar amid rolling applause. Anu Hariharan, the sports captain (girls) administered the oath of allegiance to the supreme council members.

The Chief Guest for the day Captain Hussain Ali Al Musallam declared the Annual Athletic Meet of the year 2016 open and while addressing the gathering, extolled the stupendous success of Bhavans Kuwait in curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. He urged the students to take part in sports not for prizes and personal achievements but for the true glory of sports. He reminded them that the supreme objective of sports is to develop friendship, respect and excellence to make peace with society. It celebrates togetherness and harmony. He also urged the Bhavanites to strike a balance between studies and sports as both are essential for their psychophysiological development. As a token of gratitude and respect of the Bhavans’ fraternity the Chief Guest was presented a memento by the chairman of Bhavans Middle East, Mr. N.K. Ramachandran Menon.

Students of grades 1-8 flabbergasted the spectators with their winsome drill displays – the fruits of a month long training by the faculty members of the Physical Education Department of Bhavans, Kuwait. The theme for the drill display as well as the athletic meet for the year 2016 was ‘We are United’. The drill displays captured the hearts of the onlookers. The amazing adroitness and exactitude of the young children fetched rounds of rolling applause from the gallery. The drill displays such as Free Hands Display, Yoga Display, African Display, Robotics, Ribbon Dance, Human Pyramid, Olympic Rings and Flag March – all manifesting unity and peace, enthralled the spectators. The thunderous applause of appreciation showered on the performers was indeed a testimony to the diligence and determination of the highflying Physical Education Department of Bhavans, Kuwait, which has brought many laurels to the institution. The culmination of the drill displays was marked with a fantastic dance performance by Bhavanites.

Five white pigeons symbolizing world peace were released by the chairman, the principals, Administrative Manager Mrs. Shyma, Director of Bhavans Kuwait Mr. Krishna Das Menon, the vice principals along with the members of the Physical Education Department to vow their determination to safeguard global peace and harmony. The much awaited race and relay events saw massive participation. There were also running races for the pedagogues and the parents of Bhavans. Accolades were bestowed upon the winners by the chief guest Captain Hussain Ali Al Musallam, Mr. N.K. Ramachandran Menon, the chairman, Bhavans Middle East and the principals, Mr. T. Premkumar and Mr. Mahesh Iyer amid excitement and joy. The following parents emerged victorious in the running race. Mr. Vincent D’ Cunha won the 400 meters running race for men in the first position. Mr. Jomy Abraham, and Mr. George Varghese won the second the third places respectively. Mrs. Beena Francis won the first place in the running race for women whereas Mrs. Rabia Begum and Mrs. Rachel Mathulla won the second and the third positions respectively in the 100 meters race for women.

Pedagogues of Bhavans also proved their mettle on the synthetic track. Mr. Jaishankar, Mr. Victor and Mr. Prince Michael bagged the first, the second and the third positions in the 100 meters category. In the same category for women, Mrs. Sukanya, Mrs. Frenny Abraham, and Mrs. Nisha Sunil won the first, the second, and the third places.

Satya House won the overall championship. The winners of the house conjointly received the trophy from the chairman of Bhavans, Middle East with immense pride and brimming confidence. The second place was secured by Sanskriti House and the third place was bagged by Tapas House.

All the schools under the umbrella of Bhavans, Kuwait, the various departments, principals, vice principals, heads of departments, teachers, parents and students worked in unison and well manifested the theme for the 8th Annual Athletic Meet “We Are United”. The splendid Bhavans Athletic Meet and Drill Display of the year 2016 came to an end when Aditya Jaypal, the school head boy proposed the vote of thanks.