“Champions keep playing until they get it right,” said Billie Jean King and that is what was displayed by the athletes, the Jean King and that is what was displayed by the athletes, the organizers and the entire Don Bosco, Liluah fraternity, in the well organized and competed, Annual Athletic Meet, 2009 of Don Bosco School, Liluah.

With the arrival of the chief guest, Mr. Hari K. Kusumakar, IPS, Superintendent, Howrah, along with his wife, Mrs. Jyotsna Kusumakar, commenced the sports meet, in a colourful ambience, with flags of different colours fluttering all around, epitomizing the colours in the minds of the young athletes, as they participated in healthy competition and camaraderie.

The sports meet started with the March Past, with all students of the senior section divided into four houses, marching around the field with confidence, led by their prefect and their house captains, with the chief guest receiving the salute. The houses are named after four Salesian saints, Vecchi, Magone, Savio and Rua.

What followed, in sequence, was the arrival of the torch and the solemn occasion of the lighting of the flame, the breaking of the national flag by Mr. Kusumakar, IPS, the national anthem, the hoisting of the school flag and the environs resonating with the boys rendering their school anthem. The welcome address was delivered then by Fr. Joseph Pathickal, the Rector and Principal of DBL and the chief guest declared the sports meet open.A quick succession of races and relays followed, which included such star attractions as the Tug-o-War, the Teachers’ Event, and the Past Pupils’ Event.

An excellent blend of creativity and agility was witnessed in the drill display by the boys of classes 6,7 and 8, who spread the message of religious unity in diversity, in India, through symbolic formations from the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian religions.

The Acrobatics Display, with its pyramid formation and fire jumps, a display of the athletes’ courage, strength, rhythm, balance and flexibility, was another star attraction. At the end of the day, with the Vecchi House emerging the overall winners, the meet was declared closed by Fr. Pathickal, after the vote of thanks by Br. Jose Puthenpurackel, the vice-principal, and the flag down ceremony. The athletes then dispersed, happy and replete.