With the newly acquired BL Park out of bounds for beautification, it was the park in neighbouring BK Block that hosted the sporting activities of neighbours on February 4. The annual sports of BL Block involved all age groups — from five to 50-plus.
Anuska Bagunia, an upper KG student of Sri Aurobinda Institute of Education (SAIE), could not contain her excitement when her brother Souradeep won the 50m spoon race for children from classes III, IV and V. “I could not win the lozenge race or the 25m race but I am very happy that my brother won,” said the little one with mother Pia by her side.
Some of the mothers were an equally excited lot. As Annesha and Anushka Ganguly raced on the ground, cries of “Aro jore (faster)” could be heard from the sidelines. It was their mother Subhra egging the girls on. The cheering paid off as her daughters stormed to the finish line, coming second and third respectively. For the spectators, there was no telling who between the two came what. “We are twins and the best part is that we get to race together. The rank never matters to us,” said one, as the other girl nodded in agreement.
Sourjya Narayan Chowdhury stood first in the sum race which requires one to run to a point, correctly complete a sum and run back. “I am not a fan of math but I like the subject. The sums given for this race were far too simple,” said the teenager studying in SAIE.
Passersby as well as boys playing cricket in adjoining spaces often stopped in their tracks to take in the activities by the eyeful. Most events had separate segments for girls and boys.
Post-lunch, the second half started off with men above 50 years taking part in the flat race. “Previously we used to have slow walking races. This is a new event for the senior citizens,” said president Gopinath Sarkar. The event was introduced on the spur of the moment after the elderly brigade demanded a bigger slice of the action. Sports convenor Somnath Das handed the three winners an orange each in jest.
Events like Go as you like, breaking the pitcher and musical chairs followed. “I win the musical chair contest every year and since I did not participate this year, everyone kept asking ‘Where is the champion?’” laughed Rachita Kundu.
Men above 50 years tested their bowling skills in Hitting the wicket. “As a kid I used to admire Vivian Richards and now that am playing after so many years I feel I still have the zeal. It is like reliving my childhood,” said Swarup Mukherjee, immersed in nostalgia.
The action-packed day ended with prize distribution as neighbours applauded each other.
