CXXIV
ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET
AND P.T. DISPLAY 2008

"Trying to achieve something is like digging a well, You may dig fathoms deep, But if you don't reach the source of water, If you don't reach the point of perfection, It is like an abandoned well ... "

The XXIV post centenary Annual Athletic Meet P-T Display of St. Joseph's college was held on the 14th of November 2008. This is the day for which all Josephites wait gently and work hard to make it a successful day. The big day arrived, all the Josephites were fully prepared, the college field was splendidly decorated, the tents were put up, the house flags fluttered and medals, shields and cups embellished the prize table.

Our Chief Guest Mr. Rajeev Agarwal the District Magistrate and the Guest of honour Rev .. Fr. John Baptist Castelino the Education Officer of the Diocese of Allahabad and other distinguished guests arrived. The opening ceremony began with a short prayer in the college chapel where our chief Guest lit the sports torch. After this there was a spectacular Formation Marching performed by the prefects and marshals. Then the Chief Gust unfurled the college flag, and this was followed by the college anthem.

After the college anthem the Athletic Captain Ankit Anthony entered the stadium with the Sports Torch, the torch was then passed to the Athletic Vice-Captain Nabeel Ahmad who then lit the Sports flame with the dazzling fountain of light. At this very moment the Chief Guest declared the meet open after which the sky was filled with fireworks and balloons and the audience acclaimed and enjoyed the spectacular view.

The Athletic Captain Ankit Anthony then took the oath and behalf of all the athletes. Thereafter all the boys according to their houses, along with the old boys, came out in superb and well coordinated March Past. The audience was reminded of the recent Olympics as they were watching the opening ceremony. The audience gave a huge round of applause for this splendid opening ceremony.

Like every year Mr. F. W. Moore also made our Sports livelier by his pleasant voice and by his encouraging commentary on the whole show.

After the opening ceremony we began with the races of the tiny tots viz, Prep, 1,2 and 3. Then we started with the races of senior section boys with their nail biting 100 and 200 meters sprint of all division, which kept everyone on there toes.

After this we had an excellent P. T. display 'Rainbow' by class I. Next, it was 4x 100 meters relay race which was titillating in which blue house camp up as the winner. Then we had a PT. display known as "Give peace a chance" by classes 2 and 3. After this it was the win of the ever thrilling cycle races which was followed by the P. T. display of class 4 and 5 known as "Sufi taal"

After this the exciting event was "Tug-o- War" which is often misinterpreted to be power game, proved to be that of mental balance, determination and perseverance as the light weight Red House defeated Blue House and ultimately emerged as the champions. Blue House, Green House and Gold House bagged the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th place respectively.

Then we had the colourful "Dumb bells" mass P. T. by the boys of class 6, 7, 8, which was followed by 100 meters race in which our ex- Josephites also showed their talent. The race was divided into two categories: below 40 years and above 40 years. Soon after this the last event was the Gymnastics which was done under the able guidance of our games teacher and Gymnast Mr. Vishal Sinha. All the Gymnasts showed their exquisite, talents and skills and performed, some dangerous feats such as 'Ring of Fire'. They also- performed some beautiful PYRAMIDS.

The various house squads once again marched onto the field for the prize distribution and the closing ceremony commencing with Chief Guests speech. The Chief Guest in his speech congratulated and appreciated the management staff and the students for putting up such a wonderful show and appreciated all the students for their sportsmanship spirit. Mr. F. W. Moore conducted the proceedings of the prize distribution Blue house took the Athletic shield, Red house won the discipline shield and marching shield, and the Gold house stood at the over all champions of the year 2008-2009 by clinching the much equated cock House shield. While green house came second in marching, Athletic, discipline and cock house. Zubair Ullah and Kunal Joshi were adjudged as the best sports man and best all rounder of the year 2008 respectively.

Asif Ali broke the record of cross country race and Mohd Zeeshan broke the record of discuss throw in 'A' division. Both were awarded by special prizes.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Abhijeet Parolia the college vice captain, which Was followed by beating of the retreat and the national anthem. The fitting finale to the fantastic evening came in the form of spectacular fireworks, lighting up the sky and reminding us all of the college motto "SEMPER SURSUM" always aim high.