Page 126 - DAIS Insignia 2020-21

SPORTS FOOTBALL

DIRECTOR’S The year 2020 was a
hard time for many
people around the
REPORT world. Schools were
shutting down and
m o r e a n d m o r e
people were going to
During PE, students were used the hospital. But we,
to energetically yelling “PASS, the students of DAIS,
PASS” and “GOOAAAL” amidst d e t e r m i n e d t o
display courage in
a symphony of “GO LIONS” “GO
the face of adversity,
JAGUARS” “GO PANTHERERS” started online school in March. It was a
and “GO TIGERS”. very smooth transition, but the event I
was looking forward to the most, was
But this was at school. In the the football morning practice. I used to
present virtual world we The pandemic changed our lives, greatly limiting access to multiple sports. keep thinking if online school has
As a football player who trained multiple times a week I soon found myself
teachers yell, “you can do it… started, will morning practice be online
give me one more… superb unable to play the sport for months. Luckily, I had the resources to sustain too? It was! I loved waking up early in
form…hold steady…just a few seconds… repetitions left… don't stop…faster…faster… faster…Stooop! Breathe…breathe…rest, water my fitness levels through an online platform. While this restricted the skills I the morning, wearing a football kit and
could practice, it enhanced others. Weight training online was interesting,
break and finally the favourite, camera on please, now camera!' doing various exercises like anulom-
interactive, and highly beneficial as it taught me so much more, ensuring I vilom, dribbling, juggling and various
I am sure we disturb the students' family, our family and our entire residential block in trying to constantly motivate our students, but it is remain strong and healthy. In January 2021, training opened up for various first time warmups. The real reason why
very satisfying for us teachers to see our students put in their best efforts for transforming themselves into physically and mentally stronger sports including football, allowing me to retain the opportunity to set my I always look forward to morning
persons. This platform has been difficult and stressful to perform and conduct physical activity. However, I can confidently say that our boots onto the grass. I trained at Don Bosco High School's sports facilities practice is because I want to learn new
students and teachers have risen to the challenge and come out stronger. through Kenkre FC. Kenkre Football Club who run a football coaching football skills and I want to meet the
academy in Mumbai where players of all ages from across the city are best coaches who will guide my
Initially, we started classes by making the students warm up and perform exercises aimed to improve their muscular endurance, strength, trained. This opportunity enabled me to progress as a player and greatly teamates and I to become the best
agility, speed, cardiovascular endurance, co-ordination and flexibility. Subsequently, virtual and actual sporting skills were introduced uplifted my mood. Previously, my online training was limited to enclosed-space drills and workouts, footballers we can be. This is why I am
during the PE classes. We included skills from sports as varied as football, basketball, volleyball, martial arts and cricket. Every exercise is however, on the field, I had the chance to challenge myself in ways I earlier could not. The matches I always happy through the lockdown
because I get do some exercises in the
curated with at least 2 modules: an easy method and a more difficult way of performing the exercise, keeping in mind that we have played further boosted my fitness levels and I slowly got back to my normal state. Nothing rivalled the morning and meet my coaches and
students with varied physical abilities and skill sets in class. newfound possibility of the refining of my dribbling, passing and shooting skills. colleagues every Tuesday and Thursday!
Leadership skills come to the fore when during the end of a unit our students from LKG onwards are encouraged to show off their favourite Nikita Peraira Samay G. Sandhu
skill or exercise and lead their PE class playing the role of the coaches.
We run core or co- curricular classes in fitness, football, cricket, basketball, taekwondo, judo, among others.
During the lockdown it has not been easy to Online school has been hugely
For IGCSE classes 9 and 10 we introduced the TeamBuildr app to further enhance our IGCSE Weight training for the fitness program in this stay physically active. Football morning challenging for both the children
virtual world. Students could perform their scheduled weekly workouts at their convenience. On the TeamBuildr app, the method of practices have helped me stay fit. I have and the teachers alike. What I find
performing each exercise is demonstrated as a short video clip. The challenge has been for our students to source the appropriate weights, enjoyed these practices as they have improved amazing is the way our teachers
my skills greatly. Chanchal sir would play music have made the impossible possible.
bench and other equipment. Once school reopens, all our core athletes will be added on the app and trained at our schools' superb training
facility. which made the practices more enjoyable. We Chanchal Sir is one such person who
watched videos on YouTube and followed makes even the toughest things
The Student Council successfully conducted InterHhouse sporting events such as Chess, Ponmse in Taekwondo and Fitness Challenges. them by recreating the exercises. He also achievable. I didn't ever imagine one
explained new drills by demonstrating the
During the lockdown our students excelled in the Chess competitions. Our Dhirubhai Ambani Chess team is in the Semi-final round of the correct form and technique. In conjuction to could do a football class online but
World Schools Chess Championship being conducted by Dubai Expo. boosting my immune system, these exercises Chanchal Sir makes it so amazingly
interactive and fun for us. From the
International Master Raahil Mullik and Candidate Master Dev Shah were a part of “India A Chess Team” which won the Asian Chess Gold and fitness routines helped me inculcate a music he plays to pep us up, to his
medal. positive mindset which helped me win my constant pep talks that infuse life and energy through the screen.
battle against the Coronavirus. I think our P.E. Many a times I recall being on the field with Chanchal Sir who
As soon as a few tournaments were held for swimming, athletics, golf, equestrian, skating and gymnastics, our athletes won medals for teachers have enabled this to happen and I
themselves and DAIS. thank them for all their hard work they put pushes us to excel. He teaches us dribbling, passing, so many new
unique skills every single class that I finish the class not just
into our practices. This lockdown also taught
In academics this year, our students in ICSE, IGCSE and SEHS did not get an opportunity to appear for their board exams. But in the current me that where there is a will there is a way! exhausted and sweating but feeling energised. It's tough sitting in
scenario, it was the right and timely decision taken by the concerned Boards. This year. we introduced Sports Exercise and Health Science front of a screen all day but the days I have my morning football
Freya Patel
(SEHS) at the higher level too. It is good to see our students embarking into careers in sports science such as kinesiology, psychology, class I feel more energised and mentally active. Thank you
nutrition and also sports management. If our country is to become a super power at the Olympic Games we need many more professionals Chanchal sir can't wait to meet you in person on the field. We all
in the world of sports science, coaching and sports management working harmoniously to help bring out the best from each Indian love you dearly.
sportsperson. Zayaan Irani
It's a proud moment for DAIS to see our alumni Arjun Tendulkar play for Mumbai and get selected by our very own Mumbai Indians (MI),
who have won an unprecedented fifth IPL title in Dubai. When I heard physical school was shutting down and we were
Thank you Heads and teachers for the continued support you give to each and every sportsperson of our school. going to have virtual school I wondered how we would have
football morning practice. Was there any such thing as online
A special thank you to our Chairperson and Isha for encouraging me and my team to deliver our expertise in the best possible manner by football? I doubted it. When online morning practice started I was
giving us all the professional and infrastructure support. amazed! It was super fun! We learnt many skills that help us get
Above all our entire school community is most appreciative and grateful to the care which You Ma'am, Mukesh Bhai and Reliance better at football, including juggling the ball, dribbling, running
Foundation team have extended to each of us and our families at school and to our beloved India as we face these historic to challenging around with the ball, controlling it and
and trying times. many more. Chanchal Sir played music
which made it even more interesting. To
Cawas Billimoria be honest, I miss physical football but
Sports Director During better times Flashback 2019 online football is great too.
Winning Best Footballer at the
121 ISSO National Championships Aarjavi Mallik 122