DAMMAM — The mega sports festival organized by Navodaya Cultural Center, an Indian community organization in the Eastern Province, provided a wide platform to Indian expatriates to show off their sporting talents.

The festival was inaugurated at Al Shola Village in Al- Khobar, where E M. Kabir, Saudi Arabia Organizing Committee chairman flagged-off and inaugurated the mega event.

Pavanan Moolakkal, president of Navodaya, presided over the function and the organizing committee patron George Varghese lighted the torch promoting the slogan “healthy people — healthy community”.

General Secretary M. M. Naeem and Organizing Committee convener Shamal Shahul spoke at the function. Residents of Al Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Saihat, Rahimah, Jubail, Abqaiq, Al-Hasa-Hofuf and Al-Hasa-Mubaris participated in the festivities.

The event was organized at eight different venues and categorized in 11 different groups to accommodate all ages for boys and girls. The events included collectibles, musical chair, 25-meter race and ball collection are available for competitions, sub junior (class 1 to 3), junior (Class 7 to 9), Super SENIOR (Class 10 to 12) for boys and girls, 100 meters, 200-meter running, shot put, long jump, cricket ball and 400-mile rice, 18-25, 26-35 and 36-45 groups for men and women, especially for 100 meters, 200 meters running, shot put, long jump, cricket ball throw, and long relays.

Medals were also distributed in the evening by Navodaya central leaders to the first and second place winners in the competitions. More interesting sports like 4 km marathon, 2 km cycling match, group matches, kabbadi, tug of war and several other sport events are be held on Nov. 10, followed by attractive cultural programs displaying Indian and Saudi heritage and culture. (SG)