Sainik schools’ national games begins in Nalanda

Biharsharif: Group-level All India Sainik Schools National Games kicked off at Sainik School-Nalanda (SSN) on Tuesday.Giving the information media in-charge of the school, Brajesh Kumar said, “Nalanda DM Shashank Subhankar attended the inaugural ceremony of the 4-day event as chief guest. Altogether 244 participants, including 42 girls, from six Sainik Schools across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, are competing in various disciplines. He said the participating Sainik Schools include Nalanda and Gopalganj (Bihar), Tilaiya (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), along with the newly-opened Sainik Schools under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, Sundari Devi Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Batha, and Keshav Vidya Mandir, Patna.”He said each of the participating existing Sainik Schools has fielded a contingent of 54 cadets in volleyball, basketball, hockey, and select athletic events for both boys and girls. The newly-affiliated Sainik Schools have participated with a contingent of 14 cadets, including seven boys and seven girls, competing in athletic events. The co-curricular activities encompass Hindi/English debate, quiz (junior and senior), and cultural programmes.Wg Cdr JS Ujwal, vice-principal, presented the event report, emphasizing the significance of games and sports in the Sainik School curriculum. He highlighted how these activities foster qualities such as group dynamics, discipline, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. With the inclusion of girl cadets since the academic year 2021-22 and establishment of 18 new Sainik Schools from 2022-23, efforts have been made to ensure equal participation of girls and students of newly-opened Sainik Schools in the Sainik School Annual Sports and Co-curricular Activities.Captain Naveen Krishna Chandra (Indian Navy), principal, Sainik School, Nalanda, extended a warm welcome to the chief guest. He congratulated all the participating players, highlighting the role of games and sports in developing team spirit and coordination among teammates.The winners of this competition will get an opportunity to represent their group at the All India Sainik School Games scheduled to take place in September 2023 at Sainik School, Kunjpura, Haryana.