Competitions are an essential part of every sport. They become more interesting when they are held within your own school with people you know.

Here, at Atmiya Vidya Mandir, all play together and win together, prioritising a slogan before every competition – “We Are One”. This helps all participants to work with the team efficiently and be Atmiya with our teammates and the opponents. Although we are all Atmiyans, competition does take place, and such was the case of the Interhouse Basketball Competition.

The contest was the fourth sports competition held at AVM this year so far, between the dates 17/9/24 and 20/9/24. It all started with players selection a week before, then the practice, and finally — the day of the performance. The competition was divided into 3 groups — the Sub Junior group consisting of grades 4, 5 and 6, followed by the Junior group consisting of grades 7 and 8, and the Senior group which included standards 9, 10 and 11. Each group had four teams, the houses, Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram and Suhradam.

The opening match of the interhouse was played between Shivam and Sundaram in the Sub Junior group. It was fantastically played by both the houses, but of course, only one could win. This chance was taken by Shivam, and Sundaram was obliged to play for third place.

The next awaiting Sub Junior match was between Satyam and Suhradam. This was a competitive match between the teams to get the ticket to the finals. The Satyam house grabbed the ticket in the end, compelling the Suhradam to perform against Sundaram for third place in an intense showdown. The ones with the better team coordination — Suhradam — took third place.

The last match for the Sub Junior, the finals, saw a tantalising nailbiter between Satyam and Shivam. There can however be only one champion, and that was Satyam.

Moving on to the Junior group, the first match was between Shivam House and Suhradam House. Both teams were competent enough to keep the audience on their toes. In the end, Suhradam moved on to the finals, leaving Shivam for a try at third place.

The second match was Sundaram against Satyam, an enthusiastic match in which Sundaram proved to be more so. Satyam was forced to play for third place against Shivam, in which Shivam brimmed to the top.

The Sundaram team and Suhradam team reached for the gold in the finals. Both played amazingly, but Sundaram’s reach proved to be better.

The first thrill from the Seniors’ side was between team Suhradam and Sundaram. The match was played head-to-head, with the champ being Suhradam. Sundaram was fated to a third-place match.

The next match was contested amongst houses Shivam and Satyam. After a tight match, it was Shivam who was going to challenge Suhradam in the finals. Satyam played for third place against Sundaram, and Sundaram won with the better performance.

In the grand finale, teams Shivam and Suhradam played. And from the cheers and hoots of the crowds emerged one victor, and it was destined to be the Shivam House team, the final winner of the finale.

And with the conclusion of that last match ended the competition. Out of the ashes from the flames sparked by the contest, was created a chain of brotherhood — a bond of Atimyata — the fulfilment of the vision of a great man — the creator of the school, H.D.H Hariprasad Swamiji.

Reported by: Nischal Verde, Abhay Patel, and Aatman Patel (Grade 11)