Muscat: The much awaited 44^th Annual Athletic Meet and Drill Display was held on Thursday, December 12, 2019 on the imposing ISM ground, with great zeal, excitement and fanfare. The Chief Guest, Mr. Jahad bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Sheikh, Member of the Asian Athletic Federation & Secretary General of Oman Athletic Federation and the Guest of Honour, Mr. Shahab Haider Rizvi, Vice President and Chairman, Sports and Co-Curricular Sub Committee, Indian School Muscat Management Committee  graced the occasion. They were accompanied by other esteemed members of the School Management Committee, Principal- Dr. Rajeev Kumar Chauhan, Senior Vice Principal – Administration, Advisor to the Principal, Vice Principals and Assistant Vice Principals. Teachers and a large number of parents and students witnessed the meet. The Head Boy delivered the welcome speech.

The highlight of the day was the spectacular torch run that was entrusted to the seven athletes who have taken the school to greater heights with their stupendous performance at the CBSE nationals which was held in Raipur, Chattisgarh in November 2019. Aurpan Kumar Deb of XII I, Mohd. Affan of X J, Sanjay Arul of X G, Rishikesh Menon of XI E, Steve Lobo of XI F, Naman Rao of XI F and Antonio Thomas of XI I created history by being the only team to win overall championship trophy in any age category among the Gulf CBSE schools at the CBSE National Athletic Meet 2019, the first team from Indian School Muscat in any of the boys category to win the 4 x 400 m relay and 4 x 100 m relay at CBSE National Athletic Meet since 1996. 

The sporting festivities began with the prestigious March Past which was all about synchronization and team work. Marching in a contingent demands alertness and an unspoken co-ordination and it was aptly displayed by the Student Council and the four house contingents led by their House Captains. The Head Girl proudly steered the school in the March Past. She was followed by Head Boy. The School Band comprising of 50 immensely talented students led by the Band Master displayed a rhythmic confluence of all the instruments and, the precision with which they performed left the spectators spellbound. The Chief Guest declared the Annual Athletic Meet 2019 open. The Sports Coordinator, Student Council administered the oath on behalf of all the participants. The Guest of Honour encouraged all the participants to play a fair game with the spirit of sportsmanship by respecting the fellow- participants.

A delightful Flag Drill presented by 1500 Boys and Girls of classes V & VI depicted the magical power and value of unity in sports. With pride, the students, held the national flag of Oman – the beautiful country which has been a home for us away from our home. The next in the array of events was the drill by 650 boys from classes VII and VIII displaying whole body and stretching exercises in unison. Carrying forward, the mission of health and well-being, the ‘Fit India Movement’ spreads the message of healthy living. Not to be outdone by the boys, 700 girl students of classes VII & VIII enthralled the spectators with their rhythmic aerobic movements. The aerobics has a wide range of physical and mental benefits that include improved condition of heart and lungs, increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness. To attract attention, add sparkle, cheer and to accentuate movements, these drill displays symbolized the importance of determination and hard work in the present times.

The athletic events included 50m and 100m races for Sub Junior, Junior, Intermediate, Pre Senior and Senior Boys and Girls. The interesting part  of the events were the nail biting 4x100m relay races for the Senior Boys and Girls, the Inter School Relay Races and the Staff Race. Lanette Rego of Yellow House in the Sub Junior Girls’, Mohd. Mazin of Red House in Sub Junior Boys’, Sandra Jiss of Red House in Junior Girls’, Sumed S. of Yellow House in Junior Boys’, Shakti Shetty of Green House in Intermediate Girls’, Evan Gryphin of Red House and Afras K.N of Blue House in the Intermediate Boys’, Alfina Thomas of Yellow House in Pre Senior Girls’, Rishikesh Menon of Blue House in Pre Senior Boys’, Harshitha Ramesh of Blue House in the Senior Girls’ and Aurpan Deb of Red House in the Senior Boys’ categories emerged the individual champions.

The grand March Past trophy was lifted by the Green and Red Houses whereas Blue House bagged the majestic Athletics trophy. The most coveted stately Cock House trophy was won by the Red House. The proud National winners and silver medalists and their dedicated coach Mr. Johns Abraham were felicitated by the Chief Guest. 

The sounding of the Last Post marked the closure of the event. The school flag was reverentially brought down and handed over to the House Captains. This was given to the Head boy and the Head girl who in turn handed it to the Chief Guest. The Chief Guest, in turn handed it over to the Principal. The Principal accepted it in all solemnity and handed it over to the Coordinator, Department of Physical Education, for safe keeping till the commencement of the next sporting season. The Head Girl proposed the vote of thanks. The Principal – Dr. Rajeev Kumar Chauhan applauded the efforts of the P.E. department and teachers and appreciated the athletes for their spirit of sportsmanship.