Sports season at the Academy - 2016 concluded with epic inter-school tournament!

Over the course of the last half-term from October to December 2016, the Academy held the following successful events:

• 4^th  Hyderabad Interschool Sports Tournament
• National Ultimate Frisbee Tournament preceded by a coaching session for 40 national coaches
• Academy Junior and Senior School Annual Athletics Meets

Our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme students achieved a resounding victory in the Hyderabad Inter-School Swimming Competition held at Indus International School, bringing home championship trophies in both girls’ and boys’ categories. Congratulations to all students and staff who took part, contributing to realising through our Academy sports curriculum the desired traits of leadership, character, sportsmanship and team spirit as well as individual intellectual, social and emotional growth.

2016 Interschool Sports Tournament on 18-19 November aimed to promote these values in the Hyderabad network of local and international schools. Football, basketball and cricket competitions for girls and boys featured in under-18 and under-15 categories. The tournament witnessed winners emerging from Army Public School, Oakridge International, Glendale Academy, DPS Nacharam, Chirec Public School, Hyderabad Public School and the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. Particularly noteworthy was the increased number of girls and girls’ teams entering this year as a tribute to the Academy's support for girl child education.

“It was a very well-organised tournament. The refereeing was professionally done, as was the scheduling. We were welcomed with warmth when we arrived yesterday,” said S.Y. Lalit, Chirec basketball team coach.

Ultimate Frisbee, a non-contact, co-educational team sport played with a plastic disc, actively promotes gender equality and fair play. Steadily gaining popularity in India over the last few years, Hyderabad Ultimate Frisbee Association (HUFA) held their national event at the Academy this year. 150 players from around the country participated in these extraordinary games on 10-11 December. Eight selected Academy students also took part as result of qualifying during weekend training sessions conducted prior to the event. Click here to see press coverage of the event.

“Two of the Academy students were part of the winning team and we are astonished at their quick learning and contribution towards the team,” said Khushboo Lohia, HUFA representative. “The National Coach Development Clinic and USHA HydHat 2016 events were a grand success and feedback from all the international/Indian Ultimate coaches and players has been overwhelmingly positive. We are all excited to be back at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad next year.” It is hoped that the Academy will host this national championships for the next three years as a result of this new relationship.

Academy Junior and Senior Schools closed the term with spectacular performances at their Annual Athletics Meet, on 13 and 15 December respectively. Junior School opened with a series of well-coordinated performances including a unique yoga-inspired formation. Kakatiya House was the overall winner of the Senior School Meet that had a variety of track and field events including short-distance running, relay races, long jump and shot put.