Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Jan 10: Ryan Minithon 2019, one of the largest minithons for the school students in the country which was held in the city, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 12,258 students of 41 different schools here.
Ryan Minithon 22nd year and the 174th race for school students in the country under the aegis of Ryan Group of Institutions mentored by the chairman of Ryan International Group of Institutions and St Xavier’s Group of Schools - Dr A F Pinto and managing director Dr Grace Pinto initiated the minithon to encourage 'Love for sports' among students.
The flagging off was done from St Lawrence High School, Borivli (West) by Dr Snehal Pinto (director – Ryan International Group of Institutions, Satya Prakash (DIG / RPF), Lt Cdr Debasish Tripathi (38 LLMC - Navy Officer), Lt Cdr Shristi Thakur, MHB – Police station – Police inspector Prakash Jadhav, Anand Mane – Asian Games China 2005, Anup Thakur – Chatrapati Award Winner from Maharashtra Govt 2012 -13 for Malkhamb, Manohar Mane – Sports director of Mumbai University Mohan Pillai- Manager Bisleri, Joy Banerjee (Professional Fitness Expert), Neha Shrisagar (corporate lawyer), Prabhjot Singh – Debut film – Udta Punjab, Siddhesh Sharma – Winner of silver medal in U/15 mountain Bike off Road Cyclist, Joseph Monterio – Joint secretary at the Mumbai Sports Association and many other esteemed guests.
People of Borivli, a suburb of Mumbai woke up to a pleasant surprise as the sporty students from under U- 12 to U- 16 clad in PT uniforms ran the race along the minithon route lined by a continuous human chain of teachers, Scouts & Guides and RSP students of all the participating schools.
Ryan International Group of Institutions, India, has been organizing such races in Bengaluru, Delhi, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Surat, Jalna, Jaipur and Navi Mumbai since 1998 to develop a sports culture in the country conducive for grooming young students for national and international sporting events. Dr A F Pinto and Dr Grace Pinto are of the view that this minithon is a tribute to all the athletes throughout India and such minithons promote an interest in sports in the minds of youth.
The winners of different age groups were awarded in an enthralling ceremony in the presence of distinguished guests. The prize distribution ceremony took off with a prayer followed by welcome speeches, melodious songs and captivating dance performances. Amidst thunderous applause, the winner school received the championship trophy of Ryan Minithon.
