Gonda: A three-day free inter-school sports competition began at St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Gonda, with enthusiastic participation from players representing nine schools across the district. The event features volleyball, kho-kho and taekwondo competitions, providing students with a platform to showcase their sporting skills.
District Sports Officer Ranjit Raj, Father Arun Moras of Fatima School, St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School Manager Suzanne Dutta, Principal Payal Dubey and Jean Anandan, Principal of St Xavier’s Malviya Nagar, inaugurated the event by interacting with the participating players.
Addressing the gathering, Suzanne Dutta said the primary objective of the competition was to promote sportsmanship, discipline, confidence and teamwork among students. She added that organising the event free of cost would allow players from different schools to demonstrate their abilities on a common platform. She urged participants to compete in the true spirit of sports and give their best.
In volleyball, Narayana Public School defeated Geeta International School 11–3, while Fatima School beat St Xavier’s Malviya Nagar 11–5. Sunbeam Millennium defeated Maharishi Vidya Mandir 11–3. In the semi-finals, Narayana Public School edged past Fatima School 12–10, while Sunbeam Millennium defeated St Xavier’s School 11–7. Narayana Public School and Sunbeam Millennium will meet in the final.
In the girls’ kho-kho category, Sunbeam defeated Geeta International School 9–1, Narayana Public School beat St Xavier’s Malviya Nagar 19–2, and St Xavier’s Pantnagar defeated Geeta International School 2–1. St Xavier’s Pantnagar will next face Narayana Public School.
Taekwondo competitions in the sub-junior, junior and cadet categories will be held on October 13 and 14. A total of 108 players from eight schools are expected to compete across different weight categories.
The volleyball and girls’ kho-kho finals will also take place on October 14. Principal Payal Dubey concluded the inaugural programme by thanking the guests, players, coaches and supporting staff, and expressed hope that the school would continue to create opportunities for students to excel through sports.
