The much-awaited annual online sports day was held on 27th Feb 2021 with great zeal, frolicsome atmosphere at GIIS, Smart Campus Balewadi. Sports day is one of the events which children look forward to during the year. This year is the unique year where everyone has learned to live indoor due to pandemic, But, GIIS Balewadi teachers has left no stone unturned to execute their ideas and came up with the unique ideas to conduct skill-based virtual sports day for Grade 1 to 10 students.

It’s widely accepted that physical activity is essential to comprehensive health and wellness. From preventing disease and promoting flexibility to building stamina and increasing strength, the list of reasons why exercise should be integrated into kids’ daily routines goes on and on. Exercise is even a proven stress reducer, mood booster, and sleep enhancer, and ensuring children get consistent exercise during their early years only serves to maximize these benefits by establishing a consistent pattern of healthy habits.

During the annual sports meet, students were geared up with sports track pants, T-shirt to perform the activities. The program began with welcoming our esteemed gathering and emphasized the importance of sports in students' life. 

The chief guest of the event Mr. Rajiv Bansal, Country Director of GIIS, and Ms. Vaishali Borde, National Head, GMP & Co-Scholastic in their virtual address encouraged all the students to participate and showcase their best and congratulated the teachers' efforts for thorough guidance and support during the virtual sports meet. 

The students entered into the spirit of the occasion and started with the warm-up exercise in order to perform well in the sports activities, which were organised by the teachers. All the students were categorized in their respective class groups to perform in a number of sports activities such as sock in the box, tree pose, bow leg, Surya namaskar, throw and clap, a coin with a toothpick, burpees challenge, around the world. The event was quite engaging as all the students performed exceptionally well to be in a winning position. At last, all the winner of the group was announced by the judges and the finalist has been facilitated with e-certificate for their extra-ordinary performance. 

The final closing remark was given by Dr. N.K.P. Ashok Raj, Principal GIIS Balewadi by explaining why it is important to practice sports on regular basis. Meanwhile, he also encouraged all students to follow in Mahatma Gandhi's footsteps. He also emphasised and recalled the quote given in the book "Key to Health' by Mahatma Gandhi to motivate all the students to do physical exercise on regular basis. 

The main objective of conducting this annual sports day was to bring out the sportsman spirit in all the students and that was well accomplished. All the students, parents, and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the day.