Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad, who opened the meet and, urged the students coming from different CBSE-affiliated schools from across the Kingdom to play in true spirit of the game, with sportsmanship and camaraderie. “Give your best in sports like what you do in your academic life.” Dr. M.S. Karimuddin, higher board member for CBSE affiliated schools in the Kingdom, was among those present.

Contingents from 18 schools are taking part in various sports activities. They include the international Indian schools of Riyadh, Dammam and Jubail, aside of course from Jeddah, all of them community schools, as well as some private schools.

Twenty-three principals for Indian schools from the Kingdom are attending their annual two-day conference from Monday.

Ceremonial hoisting of the CBSE flag as well as of the flags of participating schools, an oath taking ceremony by the participants to play with all fairness, lighting of the torch and a mascot parade were among the many activities of the day. Rasheed Salim, the CBSE champion of high jump, took the torch around the ground.

The cluster meet song, written by Ayub Musissliyarakath and Seenath Sajith, was rendered at the event. The song’s opening lines: “IISJ soul of wisdom, galaxy of young achievers, see the champions take the field now, you define us make us feel proud....”

Cultural programs including classical and contemporary dances, and a Shakespeare play were also staged.