The spirit of sportsmanship and unity came alive as Unity College, Lucknow, celebrated its Annual Sports Day on November 1, 2025 with great zeal and grandeur. The entire campus resonated with energy and excitement as students, teachers, and guests gathered on the beautifully adorned sports ground to witness a vibrant display of talent, teamwork, and athletic excellence. The day’s proceedings were graced by Honourable Justice Sayed Qamar Hasan Rizvi, Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, who attended as the Chief Guest. He was warmly welcomed by College Secretary Mr Najmul Hasan Rizvi, Jt Secretary Dr M Talha, Principal Mr Deepak Mervyn Mathews, Vice Principal Mr Sachindra Bharti, Manager II Shift Dr Kalbe SibtainNoorie , and other distinguished members of the Managing Committee. Adding warmth and rhythm to the event, the comperes — Ms Sarah Abbas, Ms Fatima Naseem, and Ms Roopam Gupta — conducted the programme with remarkable eloquence and enthusiasm. In his welcome address, Principal Mr Mathews paid homage to Founder President, Padma Bhushan recipient Late Dr S Kalbe Sadiq, whose vision and commitment to holistic education continue to inspire the College in nurturing academic, physical, emotional, and moral excellence. He urged the students and teachers to embrace his spirit of determination, reminding them to ‘do it — and do it with excellence.’
The day began on a serene note with an all-religion and continental prayer, invoking blessings for peace and unity across the world. It concluded with the release of a white pigeon, symbolising universal peace. The atmosphere was filled with symbolism and hope as Justice Rizvi released colourful balloons, marking the official commencement of the event. A defining moment of the ceremony was the Torch Run, a mark of endurance and determination, led by Ali JafarKazmi (Captain Boy), KhizranZehra (Captain Girl), ArhamHaider Rizvi (Vice-Captain Boy), and Hadees Fatima (Vice-Captain Girl), accompanied by star footballers Amaan Agha Rizvi, Syed Waqar Husain, Zainul Imam Rizvi, Abu Sufiyan, and Qaim Abbas Zaidi. Their spirited run set the tone for the day’s vibrant events. The precision and coordination of the NCC Battalion, followed by the Boys’ and Girls’ contingents representing the four houses, made the March Past an inspiring spectacle, perfectly synchronised to the beats of the College Band.
A series of captivating drills kept the audience thoroughly engaged. The youngest participants from Upper Nursery and Prep presented a charming Football Drill ‘Champ’s Charge’ to celebrate the College Football Team’s remarkable victories. Their delightful, well-coordinated performance won hearts, radiating both innocence and confidence. The girls of classes VI to VIII presented a visually striking Umbrella Drill themed from illiteracy to knowledge, darkness to light and hope, symbolising the transformative power of education and enlightenment. Equally enthralling was the Yoga Drill performed by the boys and girls of class VI to VIII, artistically illustrating the science of life. Beginning with warm-up exercises and progressing through Surya Namaskar and PragyaYog, the sequence beautifully depicted the Seven Creations of Life — water, air, fire, earth, mind, soul, and sky — conveying harmony between nature and the human spirit.
Next came the two mesmerising events — the Ring Race and the Ball Race — by the tiny tots of class Prep, who dashed with excitement, spinning rings and carefully carrying balls to the finishing line. The Inter-House athletic events witnessed fierce yet friendly competition, with both Junior and Senior participants giving their best in sprints, relays, discus throw, shot put, and long jump. The girls’ events, held a day prior, also showcased tremendous strength and endurance. The atmosphere turned electric with the spirited Tug-of-War between the girls of classes XI and XII, drawing loud cheers from the spectators. The event reached its crescendo with a breathtaking display of gymnastics, human pyramids, and daring ring jumps by the boys of classes IX and XI — an extraordinary demonstration of strength, coordination, and courage that left the audience spellbound. The Grand Finale was a spectacular sight of unity and rhythm, as senior students from classes VI to XII performed the Mass PT with precision and grace, their colourful costumes adding splendour to the field.
Medals and certificates were awarded to the winners for their outstanding performances, while Special Awards were conferred upon the Best Sportspersons — Mohd Raza (VII-C) and Qaim Abbas Zaidi (XII-A) among boys, and RidaZainab (VI-A) and Aqsa Fatima (IX-B) among girls, in the Junior and Senior categories respectively. The Best March Past Award was jointly bagged by NCC Girls and Iqbal House, while the most coveted Champion House Award for the session 2024-25 was shared by Iqbal House and Gandhi House.
Chief Guest Justice Rizvi paid a heartfelt tribute to Founder President Late Dr Sadiq, recalling his long association with him and lauding his vision and dedication that elevated the College to its present stature. He appreciated that Unity College stands distinguished not only for academic excellence but also for its values and vision. Commending the talented students, dedicated teachers, and supportive parents, he remarked that sports instill vital life lessons — strength of body, mind, and character. He motivated the students to keep running their race at their own pace with honesty and perseverance, without giving up.
In conclusion, Secretary Mr Najmul Hasan Rizvi proposed a heartfelt vote of thanks to the Chief Guest and expressed deep appreciation for the collective efforts of the students, teachers, and organisers in making the event a resounding success. He also lauded the participants for their exemplary sportsmanship, perseverance, and commitment, encouraging them to continue striving for excellence in all walks of life, and to serve society and humanity at large. The celebration drew to a dignified close with the rendition of the National Anthem, bringing together everyone in a shared spirit of pride, unity, and patriotism — a fitting finale to a day that embodied discipline, harmony, and the indomitable spirit of youth.
