The 16th Association of Schools for Indian School Certificate (ASISC) National Athletics Meet got off to a colourful start at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Tuesday evening.

The proceedings started with hoisting of the ASISC flag by chief guest Father Jose Aikara, chairman, Council for Indian School Certificate Examination.

He also declared the meet open by releasing balloons in the presence of Christopher Francis, regional secretary of ASISC, Bailey Bodhanwala, chairman of J.H. Tarapore School, principal Lata Sharat, a huge gathering of parents and athletes from 11 regions.

Promising athletes — S. Darshana (DBMS English School), Prasun Das (Vig English School), Rahul Kumar Singh (ADLS Sunshine School), Aisha Pervin (St Thomas School, Ranchi), Gandharv Kumar Khan (Dayanand Public School) and Nishi Jaiswal (J.H. Tarapore School) did a lap of the ground with the ceremonial torch.

The opening ceremony over, it was time for athletes to hit the track in the 800m senior and junior boys’ and girls’ finals.