"Sport is part of every man and woman@aps@s heritage and its absence can never be compensated for" - Pierre de Coubertin.

Every year, there is a different theme chosen on World Heritage Day. With The Olympic Games around the corner In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August 2016, the theme chosen by UNESCO for the World Heritage Day celebration this year was the “The Heritage Sports”.

A special assembly was conducted on 18th April, 2016 at GIIS, Noida to raise an awareness about the true meaning of heritage, its importance and the need of its preservation. Keeping the theme in mind for this year, a PPT presentation was made by grade 7 students highlighting our Natural Heritage, Built Heritage and Living Heritage and the history of our ancient sports.

Grade 7 students shared information about the origin of ancient sports like the chess (Shatranj), Polo, Kalaripayattu, Archery, Wrestling, Pranayam, etc.

A short documentary film on the “Evolution of Kalaripayattu” - a traditional martial art form of Kerala, India which is the mother of all martial art and believed to be the foundation of other martial art forms like Karate and Judo was shown to students. The video explained the students how the practice of this art form was divided into five parts Maipayat (body conditioning exercises, Koltharipayattu (wooden weapons), Vaiitharis (oral commands), ankatharipayattu (sharp weapons) and Verumkal (bare handed defence attack). Later a quiz was conducted for students where 3 questions each were asked to grade 1& 2, Grade 3-6 and Grade 7-9. Students enjoyed the quiz show and participated whole heartedly. It was an informative assembly which concluded with the National Anthem.

The objective behind conducting this special assembly was to enlighten students about the value and significance the world’s heritage holds. Protecting and preserving was the take out from this special session conducted. Children were familiarized with the rich cultural heritage we have, along with the existing diversification worldwide, and how we need to work towards protecting and conserving it.