18 schools from Mashobra block participate in four-day competition
Shimla, August 28: A four-day zonal-level Under-14 sports competition for boys and girls began at Government Senior Secondary School, Durgapur, on Friday, with 419 athletes from 18 schools of the Mashobra education block participating in the event.
The participants include 247 boys and 172 girls, who will showcase their sporting talent in a range of competitions during the four-day event.
Director of Education Ashish Kohli formally inaugurated the competition and took the salute during an impressive march-past presented by athletes from participating schools. The organising committee honoured the chief guest with a traditional Himachali cap, shawl and a memento.
Deputy Director of Elementary Education Nisha Bhaluni attended the programme as a special guest.
Addressing the students, Kohli said sports play an important role in the overall development of children, helping improve their physical, mental and intellectual abilities while also fostering qualities such as discipline, leadership, hard work, teamwork and healthy competition.
He urged the young athletes to participate in the competition with true sportsmanship.
“Winning and losing are part of every competition. More important is the effort made by a player to achieve his or her goal,” Kohli said.
School principal and competition coordinator Banwari Lal Keshav welcomed the chief guest and provided details about the sporting event. He said the four-day competition would feature volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho, badminton, judo, chess and cultural competitions.
Sports in-charge Nand Lal Sharma, physical education teachers from various schools, athletes, local residents and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural programme.
