Play is a release…. a release from the shell of the mind. Play is to man what music is to life. At play, one unconsciously breaks free from the isolated island of their individual mind and connects effortlessly with other souls. For this time, one is free from all worries, fear and anxiety. For the player, the world centers on nothing but the game. For the young, it is another effective tool for character building and a fun way to get in top shape.
Amrita recognizes the importance of play and promotes sports among its wards alongside academics. Amrita Vidyalayam Koilandy provides a variety of sports for the students to choose from and pursue. A child wanting to pursue sports gets enough support and backing from appointed trained sports instructors. Amrita offers special and extra coaching for exceptionally gifted children wanting to advance in sports. Such students are given additional coaching in academics too, if they happen to miss the regular class hours owing to the sports session.
Amrita Vidyalayam Koilandy celebrated its Sports Day on the 28th November 2008, for the 2008-09 academic year. The day was started off by the school’s National Cadet Corps march-past. This was followed by a impressive performance of the corps band, playing music synchronized and harmonious with their march.
The chief guest of the day C.Venugopal, Sub Inspector, received the honors of each house of the school. Meanwhile a portion of the staff was busy preparing lemonade and such soft drinks for the students for refreshing themselves after their participation in sports.
The program started off with the shot put tournament. The students advanced through the qualification round, the elimination rounds and then to the final round. It was a sight to see the students cheering their own house participants, clapping and encouraging them on.
The events were categorized according to their age groups. The sprints created the maximum excitement with nail biting finishes, prompting intense competition between the houses. The high jump and long jump events were great levelers with both the boys and girls, vying with each other to earn points for their houses. For the kindergarten children, milder events like the musical chair, lemon and spoon, the potato race and the sack race were conducted.
In the evening the Principal congratulated the winners and the house captains and encouraged the other participants. “T-E-A-M: Together Everyone Achieves More. This may very well convey the full meaning of the word TEAM,” she said.
“It is only when everyone in the team strives for the team’s good, rather than for individual achievements, that we see progress. And for those who did not make it to the podium this time, just remember that the pain that you feel on losing is nothing compared to how it feels on giving up. So get onto your feet and start training for the upcoming tournaments. We have many more such opportunities lined up where you can show your mettle. Keep playing and keep trying, as Sir George Bernard Shaw said, ‘We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.’ And mind you, I don’t want any old students in my school!” she concluded. The evening ended with the awarding of medals to the winners by the Principals.