Mohammed Raghib Qureshi, (R) head of chancery, CGI Jeddah, and school observer, handing over the Golden Boot Award to Sawad Jabeer of IISD as IISJ Principal Syed Masood Ahmed (L) and IISJ's K.A. Mohammed Sahal, who also won the Golden Boot, look on. JEDDAH — Dominating the team games host International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) clinched a treble as IIS Dammam dominated badminton at the Phase I Cluster Meet of the CBSE-affiliated Schools in the Kingdom here recently. IISJ won championships in football, volleyball and basketball during the six-day meet, which saw students from 15 international schools vying for honors. Though IIS Jeddah retained the titles IIS Dammam which had lost its grip in badminton last year regained its glory and also topped the points tally which will be carried over to the next phase. IISD led by 66 points, followed by IISJ 45, IIS Riyadh 27, IIS Jubail 26 and Middle East International School Riyadh 25.
IISJ edged IISD 2-1 in a keen soccer final played at Al-Ittihad Stadium. Led by Atif Anjum Akhtar IISD put up a brave fight against favorite host which was off-color in the final. Shabin Maliekkal scored both goals for IISJ off freekicks, while IISD rallied well in the second half and reduced the margin through Swad Jabeer. In the semifinals, IISJ defeated Al-Wurood International School and IISD downed IISR. IISR beat Al-Wurood in tie-breaker for third place. IISJ was coached by Abdul Rasheed Alikkal and ISSD by Tapas C. In volleyball too, IISJ defeated IISD in straight sets (25-15, 25-18 and 30-28). In the semifinals, IISJ prevailed over IIS Jubail and IISD got the better of IISR.
IISJ has been dominating volleyball in the Cluster Meet for the past five years under the training of Adil Akhtar Khan. IISJ also enjoyed clear superiority in basketball as it routed IIS Jubail by a huge margin of 94-31 in the final. However, impressive 3 pointers by Amru of Jubail were a solace for the losers. It is the fourth consecutive year that IISJ won the title under the training of Ameeruddin.
IIS Jeddah basketball team with guests and officials
While IISJ was invincible in all the outdoor games, IISD had say in badminton. Dammam boys won the first place in all the three categories while their girls won the first position in Under-16. Under-19 girls of IISR won the first place in badminton while Under-14 honors went to NMEIS, Riyadh. The valedictory function was graced by Mohammed Raghib Qureshi, head of chancery, CGI Jeddah and school observer; Hasan Ghias, member of the higher board of international Indian schools in the Kingdom, IISJ Principal Syed Masood Ahmed and Mohammed Raziq Abdul Vahid, chairman, school managing committee. Meet coordinator Ghouse Mohiuddin presented the report. The second phase of the Cluster Meet would include athletics, table tennis, basketball for girls along with co-curricular events like debate, quiz and science projects. Speaking on behalf of all the team mangers, J. C Reddy from IIS Riyadh expressed his high appreciation for the smooth and fair conduct of the meet. Special awards and results: Football: Golden Boot for top scorer — K.A. Mohammed Sahal of IISJ and Sawad Jabeer of IISD (scored 8 goals each). IISJ has newly introduced the coveted prize; Best Midfeilder — Moahmmed Saad Nasruddin (IISJ); Best Defender — Atif Anjum Akhtar (IISD); Best Forward —Sultan (Al-Wurood Int'l School Jeddah) and Akhil Kareem (IISJ). Volleyball: Best Spiker – Ameen Shaikh (IISJ); Best Booster — Mohammed Tariq (IISJ); All Round Performance — Mohammed Aves (IISD). Basketball: Highest scorer — Bashaar Khalid (IISJ) 95 points; Best player — Abdul Haseeb (IISJ); Best Shooter — Mohammed Amroo (IIS Jubail); Best Defender — Rameez Haider (IISJ). Badminton: Boys (U-14): 1. Rayyan Rahoof (NMEIS, Riyadh); 2. Steve Adrian (IISD). Under-16: 1. Sidharth Harish (IISR); 2. Siddharth Aniruddha Kher (Dunes Int'l School Dammam). Under-19: 1. Jadder Hassan (IISJ); 2. Amaan Izhar (IISD). Promising Player: Aryan Pravin Shilke (Dunes Intl' School Dammam).
