mini-olympics

DB NASHIK HOSTS MINI-OLYMPICS ‘JOURNEYING WITH THE YOUNG’

By Matthew Coutinho sdb

NASHIK, DECEMBER 6, 2007: With the hype building up for the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, Don Bosco School Nashik decided to motivate the athletic squads of five other schools of Nashik - Kilbil St. Joseph, Nirmala Convent, Silver Oak, Sacred Heart and Horizon Academy - to come together and enjoy a bit of the Olympic spirit. The programme titled "Don Bosco Mini-Olympics" was a fitting occasion to showcase the theme "Journeying with the Young". The day chosen for this mega-event was December 5, the day when Salesians all over the world commemorate Blessed Philip Rinaldi.The programme commenced at 11:30 am with the lighting of the torch in Silver Oak School. The torch held with pride by the outstanding athletes of each school journeyed through the various parts of the city accompanied by a police escort and halted at each of the competing schools. At 1 pm, the torch ended its journey at Don Bosco School for the grand opening of the Mini-Olympics. At the stroke of 3, the Chief Guest, Mr. S.N. Sayyed, Nashik Police Commissioner, was escorted to the grounds with the Divyadaan band striking a lively march and the Don Bosco School Scouts presenting him the guard of honour. The chief guest was enthused by the very concept of the programme and requested Fr. Diego Nunes, Principal, Don Bosco School, and the chief organiser to do something along the same lines at the district level and promised support of the police personnel and facilities for the event.What followed was a veritable feast for the eyes and the heart! The opening ceremony began with beautifully decorated floats driven by the guests. The competing schools then creatively presented the motto of their schools. Silver Oak school depicted the vision of their school using the symbolism of a sailboat and won the first place for their float. Next up was the march past, with the various schools in colourful attire swayed to the rhythm with laudable coordination and grace. The torch was then lit and the sportsman pledge was sworn. This was followed by a symbolic gesture by setting the pigeons free and the colourful balloons with the symbols of the Mini-Olympics went soaring up into the evening sky, the sign for the games to begin. The athletic competition brought together the best athletes (boys and girls) of each school, who competed in the track events in three age groups namely under-12, under-14 and under-16. The evening came to an end with the prize distribution ceremony. The Chief Guest for the prize distribution ceremony was Mr. Boraste, Deputy Mayor of Nashik. He, too, was impressed by this novel idea of bringing together different schools in a true sportsman spirit. The best “marchers” were Don Bosco School. The best team was also awarded to Don Bosco School whose budding athletes excelled not only in the individual events but also captured all the three relay events. After the final taps were played, the flag lowered and the prizes collected, it was time to set home. And on everyone’s lips and in their hearts was the desire to return for the next version of Don Bosco Mini-Olympics. Kudos to Fr. Diego Nunes and all the staff members of Don Bosco School for this well-executed event organized with finesse to bring the young together.