Martial arts, zumba dance mark Day 1

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, November 1

A bright pre-winter afternoon that turned into a brilliant sundowner, with captivating music in the background and children for company, was the perfect setting for the opening of the three-day junior school athletics meet at Strawberry Fields High School in Sector 26, here today.

Today, the sports medley of Classes 3 and 4 saw over 300 students participating and performing to an audience comprising their parents.

Carefully orchestrated fitness presentations were set to the tune of lilting, foot-tapping musical notes. Presenting the balance fitness drill, students extolled the virtues of maintaining equilibrium with a poise and sense of control that would do many adults proud. This was followed by a martial arts display and a zumba performance.

All warmed up, it was time to take a solemn oath by the entire sporting contingent of students before getting down to the business of sprints, hurdles, relays and fun games. The junior school choir performed, “Its Time, You Cheer”, a song especially composed by Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire, for supporting Indian athletes at the London-2012 Olympic Games.

Sitting quietly in the audience was a special guest, Padma Shree and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award winner, Sardar Singh, the talented midfielder of the Indian hockey team, who recently brought laurels to the country by lifting the Asia Cup.

Atul Khanna, Director of the Durga Das Foundation, under whose aegis the school is run, shared, “We have always had a participatory and collaborative approach towards sports. It is not about winning or excelling but taking part, working with teams, being patient with those who may not be as quick and proficient. Every child is out there enjoying and basking in the level of physical activity she/he is most comfortable with.”

Tomorrow, Classes I and II will perform and day after the Kindergarteners.