JEDDAH — The first phase of the Silver Jubilee Cluster Meet of the CBSE affiliated Schools of Saudi Arabian Chapter began at the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) here Saturday. Chief guest Mohammad Raghib Qureshi, head of chancery, consul education and school observer, officially inaugurated the six-day sports festival, which will witness contingents from 15 schools across the Kingdom vying for honors. The program began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an. The audience was enthralled by a mellifluous welcome song by VI-VIII girls of IISJ. Qureshi took the salute during an orderly march-past of the participating athletes. After chief guest hoisted the CBSE flag, the oath of sportsmanship was administered by Abdul Haseeb, sports secretary of IISJ. The chief guest lit the torch and handed it over to Kamran Hameed, who ignited the 25th Cluster Meet torch. Addressing the audience and contingents, Qureshi underlined the importance of games and sports and advised them to compete for glory in true sportsmanspirit. Principal Syed Masood Ahmed, in his keynote address, urged the participants to show sportsmanship and camaraderie. IISJ managing committee chairman Mohammed Raziq Abdul Vahid motivated the students by saying that any goal can be achieved if they earnestly desire and make efforts for. The exhilarating performance displayed by the skaters won the hearts of the crowd and thundering applause. They displayed tremendous courage, coordination and composure. The ceremony ended with an ebullient display by the mascot tigers.
