Nazareth Academy brought 30 student-athletes to the CBSE Cluster Games and Sports 2026, joining schools from across Bihar and Jharkhand for competition in volleyball, badminton, archery and kho kho.
The games offered an important stage for students from Nazareth Academy, a respected Catholic school in Gaya known for strong academics, character formation, and preparing young people to contribute to their communities. That same pursuit of excellence was evident as its athletes entered regional competition.
Some were competing at this level for the first time, facing unfamiliar opponents and the pressure that comes with representing their school. Experienced players arrived ready to sharpen their strategies, maintain their composure and compete against some of the region’s strongest student-athletes.
The defining performance came from Adarsh Kumar.
A national-level archer, Adarsh captured the gold medal, earning the top place on the podium and giving Nazareth Academy a significant achievement at the games. His performance reflected the precision of his sport. Archery leaves little room for distraction. Success depends on preparation, concentration and the ability to remain composed when every shot counts. His victory also gave younger athletes at Nazareth Academy something powerful to see. One of their own had competed at a high level and won.
Across the other events, Nazareth Academy’s athletes faced their own tests. Volleyball and kho kho demanded communication, quick decisions and trust among teammates. Badminton required patience and concentration. Tough opponents tested confidence, while setbacks challenged students to recover and compete again.
Sister Anita Tigga said the competition taught lessons that extended beyond athletic skills. “Facing tough competition helped build their confidence and emotional strength, and accepting setbacks with grace taught humility and perseverance,” she said. In team events, students also saw firsthand how much success depends on trusting one another.
The 30 athletes returned to Gaya with valuable experience against strong regional competition and plenty to celebrate, led by Adarsh Kumar’s gold medal. They had represented Nazareth Academy on a significant stage and shown that the school’s athletes were ready to compete.