Margao: The Board of Innovative Education (BIE), Goa, successfully organised a state-level mega sports festival at the Raia panchayat grounds, Salcete on December 29-30.
Praising the efforts of BIE, Vice-President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, S Ameenul Hasan said that BIE is nurturing champions and stars of the future not just in the community but also the State and the nation. Through various activities and unique annual events, BIE has been showing the path for community’s unified efforts in development of the children.
He advised the parents to promote the talents in their children in order to ensure overall development of their personality. Sports is one of the many facets of human activity.
“Islam promotes physical fitness and sports. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the best example for the humanity and he encouraged not just men and children but also women. He himself competed with his wife in running races,” Hasan added.
The two-day sporting event witnessed more than 1,000 participants varying between the age of 5-14 years compete in 15 different sports.
The concluding ceremony was graced by numerous Muslim political leaders, social workers, sports personalities and Ulama (Islamic scholars), who adorned the dais. A large number of parents attended the ceremony to witness their children receiving medals, trophies, mementos and certificates.
BIE Chairman and JIH Goa President Asif Hussain appealed to the parents to ensure that their children are nurtured to become responsible citizens and leaders for the Goan society.
Chief Organiser of the Mega Sports Festival, Meenaz Banu informed that BIE Goa operates through nine branches across the State where weekend classes for the overall development of children are conducted every Sunday.
One of the striking highlights of the event was that nine separate tents for boys and nine for girls were set up for participants representing the nine BIE centres. These tents served as areas for students to strategize, discuss, rest, and have their meals.
During the closing ceremony, 55 Muslim athletes from the State who have competed at state, national, and international levels and received accolades for Goa were felicitated. Children as little as 4 years, differently-abled, to adults who have been coaching students to excel in sports were among those who received special appreciation mementos. The sports personalities came from various sports including swimming, karate, kickboxing taekwondo boxing, cricket, squash, etc.
Earlier, on Sunday, December 29, Maulana Ibrahim, community leader and businessman from Margao was the chief guest. He expressed joy on seeing Raia sports ground filled with little children all set to enthral parents and audience. He said that such sporting events are the need of the day to showcase the talents that Muslims behold.
Asif Abbas Ahmed, President of the Thai Boxing Association, Goa made a special mention and encouraged the girls for their participation wearing hijab. He said that beyond the misrepresentation of oppression, girls participating in the sports festival in hijab have sent across a resounding message of modesty in sportswear.
BIE launched its organisational anthem during the closing ceremony.
