JOIN USThe event was organised by the Rotary Club of Mangalore Central and Rotary Club of Mangalore City.
Even as the so called ‘shy’ group of children stepped on to the sports ground to unleash their hidden sports spirit along with their counterparts, the mini Olympics had every reason to receive the applauds. The fun filled sport events held in different categories like frog race, lemon and spoon race, tug of war and dodge ball set the sports field on fire.
Expressing her joy to Deccan Herald, Sangitha K G, a Std VII student of Ishwarananda Mahila Sevashram informed that it is for the third time she is taking part in the event. “I love this Olympics a lot, as it provides us an opportunity to participate in sport and cultural events without any inhibition. It is pure fun here and I really don’t mind if I fail to win a prize,” she remarked.
For Hithaswi who along with her mate Surabhi won the first prize in balloon balancing game, what adds more excitement to the event is the attractive prizes that are offered to the winners . “The organisers give us handy prizes like school bag, watch, bed sheets, tiffin box etc which is better than any other prizes given elsewhere,” stated Hitaswi.
Tiny tot from Meghalaya, Michauke Bhare who won the first prize in sack race, said that he was disappointed when he was pushed by another participant and lost the game. As per my teachers request they re-organised the game and I won it, said Michauke who is the member of Bala Samrakshana Kendra in Kuthar Padau.
Person in-charge of the same school Yashoda K K, conveying her opinion about the event, said that the orphanage Olympics always makes the Mangalore orphanages keep their fingers crossed and wait for the event. “The orphan kids who remain disappointed and disassociate themselves from the rest, find an occasion to mingle with other children and get maximum fun out of the event,” she articulated.
While, Organising Committee Chairman Rtn Dr Devdas Rai is extremely happy over the way in which the Olympics is developing by manifolds with every passing year.
“Initially when we started the event in the year 1996, hardly two orphanages participated in the event, but now the number has grown to an overwhelming extent. I owe a lot to the Rotarians and the public who have been supporting this cause,” he said.
The volunteers from Torch Group and MAD along with few NSS students of city colleges did their best for the smooth functioning of the event. Cultural competitions were held in the post lunch programme. Aloysian Boys Home, Someshwara won the overall championship, while the children from Bala Samrakshana Kendra won the first runner up prize.