JEDDAH: The first phase of a Silver Jubilee Cluster Meet of CBSE affiliated schools in Saudi Arabia kicked off at the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) on Saturday amidst the thunderous applause of participating teams from 15 schools across the Kingdom.

Mohammad Raghib Qureshi, head of chancery at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. He told athletes the importance of games and sports and asked them to compete upholding the true spirit of athletic values -- excellence, friendship and respect.

The program began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. The audience was then mesmerized by the mellifluous welcome song by IISJ girl students.

IISJ Principal Syed Masood Ahmed, in his keynote speech, urged the participants to show sportsmanship and camaraderie during the competition.

Mohammed Raziq Abdul Vahid, chairman of the IISJ Managing Committee (MC), motivated the participating teams by saying that any goal can be achieved if they earnestly desire and make efforts for. MC members were also present. The presence of such prominent personalities doubled the enthusiasm and zeal of students.

In the marchpast, all the contingents representing the best talented students, took part. The chief guest hoisted the CBSE flag, which was followed by oath taking, which was administered by Abdul Haseeb, the sports secretary of IISJ.

Qureshi lit the torch and handed over to the volleyball captain Kamran Hameed. The flame represents the “Endeavour for protection and struggle for victory.” The chief guest then declared the cluster meet open and released the pigeons and balloons, which symbolize determination and the ability to overcome all the obstacles.

The exhilarating performance displayed by the skaters was a feast to participants of the inaugural ceremony. They displayed courage, coordination and composure. The program concluded with the ebullient display of the mascot tigers, which electrified the audience and took down the lane of chills and thrills.