Opening Ceremony of the 161st Sports Day

Solemn traditions and thrilling events marked the Opening Ceremony of the most awaited day at SJBHS – the 161st Annual Athletic Meet held on the 31st of August, 2019
Old Boys from around the globe, parents and well-wishers were witness to a spectacular display of rhythm, discipline and order as the Captains of the four houses, the NCC and the Scout contingents marched past the Chief Guest M Pradeep John, Second-in-command CRPF and Old Boy(batch of 1994).

Bringing up the rear and the ones to get the maximum applause was the contingent of Old Boys of the batch of 1994, led by the ISC Coordinator Mr. Robin Colaco. Gracing the dais was the Rector of St Joseph’s Institutions, Rev Fr Brian Pereira SJ; Former Principal of SJBHS who had served for 13 years, Rev Fr Michael John SJ; Principal of SJBHS, Rev Fr Sunil Fernandes SJ; Vice Principal, Mr. Uday Kumar; Primary School Administrator, Rev Fr Alwyn D’Souza SJ; First Vice President of the OBA, Mr. Nishanth Gurjer; Secretary of the OBA, Mr. Brian D’ Lima; Vice President of the PTA, Mr. K C Joseph and the Secretary of the PTA, Mrs. Sudeshna Ghosh.

The Vice Principal delivered the Welcome Address. He highlighted the achievements of the Josephites in the sporting circuit of the State in the past three months – from Hockey to Basket Ball and from Cricket to Air Gun Shooting and Taekwondo, the Josephites have brought home laurels galore. Mr. Uday Kumar also introduced the Chief Guest as the epitome of mental and physical fitness, trained as an NSG Commando armed with the knowledge of defusing bombs, taking part in jungle and guerilla warfare amidst his numerous other feats. M Pradeep John is a highly decorated defence personnel having received many prestigious awards.

The Principal, in his address, focused on the playground of the school as that is the epicenter of character formation and the hub of sportsman spirit, camaraderie and lasting friendships.

The Chief Guest, in his address recalled with nostalgia, his days at SJBHS. He gave full credit to the school for instilling in him values which has made him mentally strong, physically tough and more than anything else, secular in outlook. The advice he gave the students is that they could serve the country not only by being soldiers or politicians but by saving Mother Earth in their own little ways. They should cultivate at least one hobby, play at least one outdoor game and read at least some worthwhile books to have a healthy mind in a healthy body.

M Pradeep John declared the Meet Open and that set the stage for the blue, green, red and yellow coloured balloons to be released into the clear skies. The torch, the ancient Greek symbol of truth and integrity, was lit and the solemn Oath was rendered to make all the sportsmen understand the importance of fair play, cooperation and solidarity while respecting the rules that govern the school games.

A brief prize distribution ceremony of the games already completed marked the end of the Opening Ceremony and the beginning of the sports events where grit, determination, hard work during months of practice was brought to fruition.