The third day of the week-long Lucknow School Games, organized by the Pragatisheel Bharti Foundation, transformed into a vibrant celebration of wellness and athleticism on Thursday. The KD Singh Babu Stadium became a dynamic arena where the serenity of yoga met the thrill of competitive sports, engaging hundreds of young participants.
Harmony in Motion: Artistic Yoga Takes Center Stage
The morning session was dedicated to the ancient practice of yoga, where approximately 600 students from 18 different schools across the city came together in a synchronized display. Under the expert guidance of Malvika Bajpayee, the Yogasana Sports Convenor, the students gracefully performed a series of asanas including 'vakrasan', 'tadasana', 'sukhaasana', and 'vajrasana'. The event was elevated to an artistic performance with the inclusion of music, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Students shared their profound connection with the practice. Shruti Banerjee, a student from CMS Station Road, expressed, "I love yoga as it stretches the body and relaxes the mind." Echoing the holistic benefits, Tanmay Bhatia from Seth MR Jaipuria School noted, "Yoga is essential to maintain the 'chakras' of our body and helps relax mood swings and anxiety as well." The yoga demonstrations were specifically conducted by participants under the age of 12.
Competitive Spirit Flares in Multiple Sports
Simultaneously, the sporting spirit ran high at the Chowk stadium, which hosted a series of competitive events. The courts and fields were alive with action as students competed in badminton, volleyball, football, and kho kho.
The under-14 boys badminton category saw a dominant performance from The Millennium School, with Saksham Verma clinching the gold medal and Jassyn Anand securing the silver. In Kabaddi, the girls' teams from LPS, Rajajipuram, showcased their supremacy by winning gold in both the under-17 and under-19 categories.
Volleyball victories were spread across institutions. The under-14 boys' title was won by LPS Kanpur Road, while LPS, South City, triumphed in the under-19 boys' category. The under-17 girls' volleyball gold was proudly taken by Gandhi College.
Looking Ahead: Athletics Events on Friday
The excitement is set to continue and intensify as the games move forward. On Friday, the focus will shift to the SAI Sports Centre for a full slate of athletics competitions. The track and field events scheduled include 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700-meter races, along with field events like javelin throw and shot put. These competitions promise to add another layer of exhilaration to this multi-sport festival for Lucknow's schoolchildren.
The Pragatisheel Bharti Foundation's initiative is successfully providing a crucial platform for young athletes to showcase their talent, embrace physical fitness through yoga, and learn the values of teamwork and sportsmanship in a competitive yet friendly environment.
