Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: The Mini Olympics 2024 took place at the Modern Montessori International (MMI) Pre School (London) Jammu Branch, celebrating a vibrant day filled with energy and enthusiasm. Students, dignitaries, and alumni came together to showcase the promising future of sports in Jammu & Kashmir through an array of exciting performances by the school’s talented young athletes.
The event featured Bilquis Mir, an International Water Sports Athlete and Jury Member for the Paris Olympics, as the chief guest, with the first International Chess Master of Jammu & Kashmir, Soham Kamotra, serving as the guest of honour. School management, including Bhavna Rohmetra (Director), Sapna Rohmetra (Director), Neeraj Rohmetra (Promoter), Pragya Gupta (Principal), and Mehak Sharma (Manager), were also in attendance.
A significant moment of the opening ceremony was marked by the lighting of the Flame of Unity by Montessorians, followed by a delightful parade featuring the young Montessorians. A special segment honored Olympic winners for their admirable contributions to sports, while the school’s alumni from the 2017 batch were recognized for their contributions to the institution in a touching tribute.
The event included thrilling performances such as a drill by pre-nursery students, a dance routine by toddlers, a physical training display by pre-nursery students, and a balloon race by kindergarteners. These performances captivated the young audience, highlighting the children’s skills.
Principal Pragya Gupta presented the Annual Report, reflecting on the school’s accomplishments and outlining an optimistic vision for its future.
Chief guest Bilquis Mir expressed her pride in being part of the Mini Olympics, calling it a dream come true. She congratulated the MMI management for organizing such a splendid event, noting that while she had attended similar Mini Olympics events in Kerala, this was uniquely special to Jammu and Kashmir. Bilquis emphasized how such initiatives allow children to display their talents and underscored the potential future heroes among the participants. She is hopeful for the future of sports in J&K due to events like this one.
A parent praised the school’s efforts, stating, “Kudos to MMI for executing everything so smoothly. The management handled the event exceptionally well, and I believe that collaboration between parents and teachers is crucial for the brighter future of our children.”
Another parent commented, “We are fortunate to have excellent schools in Jammu, and I must say MMI is among the best pre-nursery institutions. It provides a nurturing environment and focuses on the holistic development of toddlers.”
Guest of honour Soham Kamotra also delivered an inspiring message, stressing the importance of fostering young athletes in the sports domain. Mementos were presented to both Bilquis Mir and Soham Kamotra by the school management during the ceremony.
The festivities concluded with an awards ceremony where Manisha Gurang was honored as the “Teacher of the Year,” while Sunita Didi received the Best Didi Award. Additional appreciation awards were granted to Principal Pragya Gupta, Nursery Class Mentor Sheetal Kaur, and Reeta Didi for their outstanding contributions to the school.
