“Winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is,” said Vince Lombardi. Keeping this thought in mind, Concern India Foundation organises an Inter NGO Sports Meet for underprivileged children who cannot enjoy all the facilities life can offer. Each year this event brings smiles on the faces of the young athletes, who aspire to be professional sportsmen.
This year, the event in Kolkata saw participation from ten NGOs from across West Bengal. The teams reported at 8:30 am at the venue and t-shirts and caps were distributed among the children. This was followed by a light breakfast.
The races were organised according to the age groups of the children. For professional assistance, the West Bengal Athletic Association had appointed 10 coaches who conducted the races smoothly. The children of all the teams were thoroughly enthusiastic and enjoyed themselves to the core. A few of them even won more than one medal. The Best Athletes- one from the boys’ group and one from the girls’ – won a trophy each for being an overall sporting champion.
At the end of the marvelous event, I was glad to see so many smiling faces bidding us goodbye. Their joy and smiles reminded me of Rabindranath Tagore’s words, “Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.”
Sudakshina Aich, Programmes Co-ordinator, Concern India Foundation (Kolkata)
