International Day of Sport for Development and Peace observed by St. Lawrence High School

Por St Lawrence High School/XtraTime
Abr 10th, 2017

Kolkata: The St. Lawrence High School in association with their alumni St. Lawrence Old Boys Association (SLOBA), partnering Peace and Sport (Monaco) observed the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in a grand manner at the school campus on Thursday. The United Nations has designated April 06 as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) in a bid to promote peace and development through sport in-sync with the Olympic values.

St Lawrence High School Sports

About 2,000 school children holding white cards formed a smiley at the school ground as a symbolic gesture in support of IDSDP. A huge placard with message “#WePlayTogether” was on display.

The objective for organizing such an event was to make the school children aware of the fact that sport can be used as a tool to foster development and peace. Children at a very young age need to be introduced to how sports can benefit our society and help peaceful coexistence, and people from an early age should understand the value of fair competition in sports as a means to form responsible citizens.

Speaking about the initiative, Father Sebastian James SJ, the principal of the institution said, “We at St. Lawrence got all our 2000 school students come together on the field, forming a smiley. Primarily it was awareness about sport for peace, happiness, and development. Sports brings out the best in any individual irrespective of their caste, colour and creed.”

St Lawrence High School SportsHe further added, “Sports play a huge role in today’s world in getting us all united. We all remember how Luz Long (German athlete) helped Afro-American runner Jesse Owens win the gold in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.”

The alumni St Lawrence Old Boys Association has been the brainchild for organizing such an event. In a bid to create awareness among the school children’s on sport and peace, the SLOBA has conceived the idea few months back.

St Lawrence High School Sports“One good sign for organizing such an event is to bring together the former and present students. We hope that some of these kids might be motivated enough to do something big for this beautiful movement of peace and development through sports when they grow up,” said Mr Subrata Sadhu.

On 23 June this year the school in association with SLOBA will host a drawing competition “Expression 2017” to celebrate Olympic Day, with the theme ”Olympic Games and Peace”. The logo for “Expression 2017” was revealed during IDSDP celebrations.

Expression 2017’ will have participants from the school as well as Jesuit schools worldwide. Other Jesuit schools will able to send their artwork in person, by post or through email. All entries must be attested by the principal/ headmaster of the school to abide by fair play. We are being partnered by Educate Magis.

The theme for the competition is “Olympic Games and Peace”. Children at a very young age need to be introduced to how sports can benefit our society and help peaceful coexistence, and the plan is to introduce people from an early age to the value of fair competition in sports as a means to form responsible citizens.  

We have received support from the ambassador of Greece in India, Peace and Sport (Monaco), The Olympic Museum (Lausanne), Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Committee, SportandDev, The International Olympic Truce Centre, Truce Foundation of the USA, Art of the Olympians, Seattle University, Educate Magis,  International Hockey Federation (FIH), Hockey India, Bengal Hockey Association and Dr. Shashi Tharoor (former undersecretary general at United Nations).   

Historically, April 06 is one of the most important days in sport. It was on this day in 1896, the first modern Olympics were held in Athens.

Source: xtratime.in