Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Nov: The clouds gave way and the sun shone bright as St Joseph’s Academy celebrated its 92nd Annual Sports Meet on the Big Field of the school on Saturday.
The event was honoured by the presence of Chief Guest Brig D S Kadyan, Group Commander, Headquarters Roorkee, NCC, Guest of Honour, Principal Brother Joseph M. Joseph, Community Leader and Sports Secretary Brother Ernest Martin, parents, alumni and the entire staff.
The programme began at 2 p.m. with a Guard of Honour for the Chief Guest, who then hoisted the flag. The torch was relayed around the field and the flame was lit, marking the start of the Meet. The athletes of all four houses marched past in step, took the oath of sportsmanship, and the Chief Guest declared the 92nd Annual Sports Meet open. Prizes for the Marathon and the Girls Cycle Race, held earlier, were then presented.
The track came alive with the 100m, 200m and 400m races across the Sub Junior, Junior and Senior categories, with every finish drawing loud cheers from the stands. The 4x100m relays, including the Senior Mixed Relay, kept the crowd on its feet as students raced hard for their houses. The SJA Alumni Relay brought old Josephites back to the track, and the 5000m Senior Boys Cycle Race closed the competitive events.
Between the races, students put up three striking displays. Class IX presented The Spirit of India, the girls of Classes VI to VIII performed the Fitness Fiesta, and the boys of Classes VI to VIII showcased the Rhythm of Strength. Each display drew warm applause for its discipline and coordination.
The day closed with a smart march past by the four houses, Bergin, Dooley, Donovan and Duffy, each turned out in crisp uniforms and marching with pride.
The Chief Guest presented awards to the winners. The results were as follows: Bro O’Brien Memorial Challenge Trophy, Boys: Anay Dobhal; Bro O’Brien Memorial Challenge Trophy, Girls: Aarna Tandon. Fastest Runner, Senior Boys: Vikhyat Paudiyal. Fastest Runner, Senior Girls: Nisha Yadav. Best Athlete, Senior Boys: Abhiraj Singh Rawat.
Best Athlete, Senior Girls: Shivangi Semwal. Best Athlete, Junior Boys: Kartik Chamola. Best Athlete, Junior Girls: Agrima Kulashri. Best Athlete, Sub Jr., Boys: Mithansh Barthwal. Best Athlete, Sub Jr., Girls: Avantika Manoj.
Best Runner (Marathon) – Boys: Aniket Nautiyal,
Girls: Vrinda Gupta. Girls’ Cycle Race – First: Shivangi Semwal, Second: Aadya Uniyal,
Third: Vrinda Gupta.
Boys’ Cycle Race – First: Aniket Nautiyal; Second: Shreyansh Sharma; Third: Anshuman Negi.
Shaheed Chitresh Bisht Trophy and Award of Rs 10,000 for Outstanding Performance by Alumni Association – Boy: Abhiraj Singh Rawat from Bergin House; Girl: Shatakshi Sharma from Donovan House.
March Past – Winning House: Duffy House;
Runner Up House: Donovan House;
This year, a new trophy was introduced. Bishop Daniel Delany Trophy for the Best Athletes’ March Past. Winner House: Bergin House, Runner Up House: Duffy House.
Winner House Overall: Donovan House (241 points); Runner Up House: Dooley House (203 points).
In his address, Brig D S Kadyan congratulated all participants and emphasised the importance of sports in every student’s life. He said sports teach us three things: discipline, perseverance and teamwork. He was presented a memento as a token of the school’s gratitude, and then declared the 92nd Annual Sports Meet closed.
The Head Boy and Head Girl proposed the vote of thanks, followed by the ceremonial lowering of the flag. The school song rang out across the field, and the day ended with the National Anthem.
