JAMMU: The North Zone Inter-Sainik Schools Sports Festival – 2015 got off at Maj Somnath Sharma Stadium in Sainik School Nagrota, here Monday.
Following colourful march past by 360 cadets belonging to five contingents from Sainik Schools of Uttrakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, Brig G.S Talwar, who was the Chief Guest, declared the meet open amidst fanfare and jubilation.
Principal Sainik School Nagrota, Col Kapil Dev Koushal, in his welcome address expressed confidence that the participating contingents will uphold true sportsman spirit and exhibit highest standards of discipline on and off the field which is the hallmark of Sainik Schools.
Cadet Abdul Mannan, Sports Captain of Sainik School Nagrota commanded the march past and Cadet Stanzin Paljor administered oath to the participating contingents.
The school band led by Cadet Samir Takyal won the hearts of one and all with their superb display and received a special word of appreciation from the Chief Guest.
Sainik School Kunjpura, Haryana contingent, being the reigning champions led the march past from the front, closely followed by Sainik School Ghorakhal, Uttrakhand who were runner-up in last year’s competition.
The Inter Sainik Schools Sports Festival will include football (Sub-Juniors and Juniors) volleyball, basketball and hockey besides literary competitions such as Hindi and English debates, quiz and cultural competitions.
The opening match of volleyball was held between Sainik School Nagrota and Sainik School Sujanpur.
The respective winners of these games will qualify to participate in the All India Sainik Schools Inter Zonal Championships to be held at different venues later this year. This week-long sporting extravaganza will culminate at the same venue on 13th June, 2015.