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Sports

IT WOULD MEAN A GREAT LOT: A GELL WELL

Yet another plume was added to the crown of TCS when we flew down to At around 4pm the real action kicked off and we prepared ourselves for the
the historic land of Chandigarh on the 17th of November 2018. For the first world’s most obscure border closing ceremony. All this while armed gun-
time, in the history of The Central School, we were qualified to participate man stood watching on with either side of the Wagah border. The deco-
in the CBSE National Volleyball Tournament. The team, headed by Sayed ratively turbaned guards on either side performed their comical marches
Muneeb and having the crew with Abubaker, Zeid, Salih, Ibrahim, Mueez, ending in over the top ‘challenge’ poses. The two groups simultaneously
Rinaas, and Adib was motivated and enthused by the masterly coaching of lowered their flags and the gates were closed for the night.
Mr. Jobin George.
Yet another wonderful experience was awaiting us when we visited The
Our squad was to take on the opponent team at the Keshav Public Senior Golden Temple. The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harimandir Sahib
Secondary school, Dirba ground. Although we were all mentally and phys- Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a sym-
ically set to fight a terrific battle there, the physical arrangements for our bol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast,
accommodation made in the limited vicinity of the school itself made us creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfilment without any
all look desperate. The next day we pulled ourselves together out of our hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the
lethargy and made an intense practice and we were all boosted up with a Sikhs. What you find there is a matter of experience rather than of descrip-
new spirit. tion. The Golden Temple Amritsar India has a unique Sikh architecture. Built
at a level lower than the surrounding land level, The Gurudwara teaches the
And finally the long awaited day has come for us. We were to lock horns lesson of egalitarianism and humility. The four entrances of this holy shrine
with the existing champions of CBSE National Volleyball Championship. from all four directions, signify that people belonging to every walk of life are
Although we had put on a fierce battle with them, they had us on the rope. equally welcome.
The matches were hard on the heels, and so we had to yield to them on the
skin of their teeth. It was hard on us to have a terrific fight on a soil where we We also had a peep in time at a Haveli. This place is amazing! With so much
had no familiarity and experience. But in the following match we had pulled to lure your senses and offer you recreation at its best, get drenched in the
and cut the elan to keep the opponents at bay, and we made merry in the spirit of adventure that you get to explore. at haveli, Fresh ingredients and
end. spices are not all that’s needed to make delicious food. It requires skill and
it’s an art.
The continuous matches in a different soil had made us all exhausted. That
evening we set off to visit The Wagah border. The Wagah border closing We landed back in Dubai with ever fresh memories. Our visit to Punjab was
ceremony on the border of India and Pakistan is possibly one of the most not without gains. The experience we gathered from the grounds was mas-
bizarre tourist attractions I have ever seen. From the moment we arrived to sive enough to strengthen us as a team. It was a great eye opener to make
swarms of touts selling Indian flags and hats proclaiming ‘I love India’. We an introspection of our strong and weak areas. We now know that we have
knew this was going to be a spectacle. Crowds of around 10,000 gathered miles to go, but we are happy that we have taken the first step towards that
around us in the stadium seating on the Indian side of the Wagah border. long leap. Thanking everyone from our heart for being with us.

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