By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The 91st Annual Sports Day of the St Joseph’s Academy (SJA) was celebrated on Friday (17th October 2025) with great zeal, vibrant enthusiasm, and an unwavering spirit of healthy competition.
The school grounds came alive with the echo of cheers and applause as students, teachers, and parents gathered to witness a grand celebration of athletic excellence and teamwork.
Inaugural Ceremony
The day commenced at 8:45 a.m. with the Opening Ceremony, a spectacle of discipline and pride. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Christopher J. Hanvey, an alumnus of SJA, who has served as School Director (February 2020 – April 2024) at Doon Global School, Dehradun, and as Director of Operations and General Manager at Genesis Global School, Noida.
Accompanying him was Seema Hanvey as special guest for this momentous occasion. Joining them as the Guest of Honour was Major General (Retd.) Sanjay Sharma, VSM, whose distinguished presence lent immense prestige to the event.
The Chief Guest was accorded a Guard of Honour by the school’s smartly attired student contingent, reflecting the values of dignity, discipline, and respect. The Lighting of the Torch followed, symbolizing the eternal flame of sportsmanship and perseverance. The torch was carried by the school’s outstanding athletes who have brought glory to the institution at various national and state-level competitions, cheered on by an enthusiastic audience.
The Oath-Taking Ceremony, administered by the Principal, Reverend Brother Joseph, witnessed the athletes pledging to uphold fairness, respect, and integrity in all their pursuits.
The Chief Guest then formally declared the 91st Annual Sports Meet open, marking the commencement of an exciting day of sporting competition.
Track and Field Events
The sports arena came alive with a series of electrifying track and field events that showcased stamina, skill, and determination. The morning began with the 100 Metres Races for Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior Boys and Girls, followed by the 200 Metres Races, where participants sprinted with precision and power. The 4 x 100 Metres Relay Races across all categories highlighted teamwork and flawless coordination, drawing loud cheers from the audience.
The Mixed Relay (Senior Category) emerged as one of the most engaging segments of the day, as boys and girls competed together in a remarkable display of cooperation and unity. The Cycle Races added further excitement, with the 300 Metres Race for Senior Girls and the 500 Metres Race for Senior Boys testing endurance, focus, and balance. Each finish line was met with thunderous applause and admiration from the spectators.
Pre-Events of Strength and Endurance
The celebrations were preceded by a series of field and track pre-events that had already set the spirit of competition in motion. The Shot Put and Discus Throw events showcased the athletes’ strength, precision, and technique, while the 800 Metres Races tested the endurance and resilience of both Junior and Senior Boys and Girls.
March Past
One of the most impressive highlights of the day was the March Past presented by the students of Classes X, XI, and XII. The four houses—Dooley, Donovan, Bergin, and Duffy—marched in perfect synchronization, their house flags fluttering proudly in the morning breeze. The display of discipline, unity, and grace, accompanied by the school band, reflected the true spirit and pride of the institution.
Awards and Recognitions
The Prize Distribution Ceremony was a moment of pride and celebration, acknowledging the remarkable achievements of students across various categories. The athletes who demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance were honoured with medals and trophies.
Marathon Awards
Brother Dooley Memorial Challenge Trophy (Senior Boys): Anamitra Goswami – Duffy House
Brother Duffy Memorial Challenge Trophy (Senior Girls): Shivangi Semwal – Donovan House
Brother O’Brien Memorial Challenge Trophy (Junior Boys): Akshatra Kamboj – Dooley House
Brother Keogh Memorial Challenge Trophy (Junior Girls): Vrinda Gupta – Donovan House
Fastest Runner (Senior Boys): Krishna Pandey – Dooley House
Fastest Runner (Senior Girls): Sambhavi Latiyan – Dooley House
Best Athlete Awards
Brother Dunne Memorial Trophy (Sub-Junior Boys): Vihaan Kandari – Bergin House
Brother Aloysius Memorial Trophy (Junior Boys): Divya Vikhyat – Dooley House
Brother Masterson Memorial Trophy (Senior Boys): Mridul Sethi and Abhiraj Rawat – Bergin House
Brother Bergin Memorial Trophy (Sub-Junior Girls): Agrima Kulashri – Dooley House
Brother Donovan Memorial Trophy (Junior Girls): Samaira Sharma – Dooley House
Brother Ritchie Memorial Trophy (Senior Girls): Sambhavi Latiyan – Dooley House
Cycle Race Awards
Brother Gannon Memorial Challenge Trophy (Senior Boys): Arav Sehgal – Duffy House
Brother Bernard Memorial Challenge Trophy (Senior Girls): Shivangi Semwal – Donovan House
Major Chitresh Bisht Trophy
Most Outstanding Overall Performance in Sports
Boys: Agrim Panwar- Duffy House
Girls: Shivangi Semwal- Donovan House
March Past Awards
Brother Dineen Memorial Challenge Trophy (Runner-Up): Bergin House
Brother Delany Memorial Challenge Trophy (Winners): Duffy House
Overall House Championship
Brother Henderson Challenge Trophy (Runner-Up): Donovan House
St. Patrick Challenge Trophy (Winners): Dooley House, for the second consecutive year, reaffirming their consistent excellence and team spirit.
Closing Ceremony
The Closing Ceremony marked a fitting conclusion to a day filled with competition, celebration, and camaraderie. The Overall Prize Distribution recognized the exceptional performers of the day. The Chief Guest, Mr. Christopher J. Hanvey, addressed the gathering with an inspiring speech, commending the efforts of all participants and underlining the importance of discipline, perseverance, and balance between academics and sports.
A memento of appreciation was presented to the Chief Guest by Reverend Brother Joseph, the Principal. This was followed by a Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, faculty, students, and staff for their collective contribution to the success of the event.
The ceremony concluded with the Lowering of the School Flag, followed by the rendition of the School Song and the National Anthem. The 91st Annual Sports Day thus came to a close, leaving behind a legacy of enthusiasm, teamwork, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence that continues to define the school’s proud tradition.
