PUNE: As many as 180 slum children from the voluntary agency Akanksha had a gala sports day on Sunday, thanks to industrial lawyer Shekhar Bonagirithe students of the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) and other Good Samaritans in the city.

The organisers set aside Rs 25,000 for the event, in which children from Akanksha's seven centres, at the Loyola high school grounds in Pashan.

Though most children attend municipal schools, they rarely have large playgrounds or athletics facilities to themselves.

Bonagiri, who in the past has held nature camps for rural children, decided to give the children from Akanksha this unique treat.

On Sunday morning, the children trooped into Loyola school, neatly attired in smart colours. A group of 15 SIBM students, which was in charge of the logistics, led the children through an impressive march past and an oath-taking ceremony.

Later, the children took part in a series of sprints (100 and 200 metres), 4x100-metre relay and longjump events. The big-school ambience and the cheering from fellow students saw the competitors, aged between eight and 15, strive harder to prove their mettle.

Laxman Amrale, a 15-year-old from Dapodi, turned up fastest as he breasted the tape in the 200-metre dash, way ahead of his competitors.

"I love to run fast. I am enjoying myself. I want to win the long jump also," he said in fluent English.

One of the salient features of the training that the slum children get at Akanksha, is that they learn English five days a week.

Flauting his English skills, Madan Kamble, a 12-year-old, also from Dapodi, said: "We are very happy. I want to win the 4x100 metre race for my team."

The race to win was the obstacle race, which was held last. It was a sight to see little girls, running with a lemon and spoon, jumping over obstacles, stepping over bricks and gobbling up lollipops strung by a rope without using their hands!

Bonagiri said, "I am indebted to the whole-hearted support of Fr Kenneth Misquitta of Loyola, who allowed us the use of the ground."

Chaitali Sheth, project manager, Akanksha, said, "This has been a wonderful experience. We plan to expose our children to competitive sports once every week. We would also love to make this sports meet an annual affair."