The sports hall of the “1 Decembrie 1918” Alba Iulia University (as a partner institution), hosted the Albaiulian Children’s Olympics, an event dedicated to the city’s kindergartens.
For a few hours, the place became an “Olympus of preschool children” and swarmed with joy and emotion, because the competitions of the fourth edition of the “Micilor albaiulieni Olympics” were held, the largest sports and entertainment competition in the county reserved for preschoolers.
The event was organized by Kindergarten with Extended Program n. 11 Alba Iulia and the “Little Prince” Association, in collaboration with IȘJ Alba, DJST Alba and the Town Hall of the Municipality of Alba Iulia.
75 pre-school children from 16 kindergartens in Alba Iulia and the localities belonging to them: Micești, Bărăbanț and Oarda de Jos and from a kindergarten in Aiud took part in the sport-entertainment tests.
The children were accompanied by their parents and grandparents who supported and encouraged them from the stands. The good humor and the antics of the clown (played by Loredana Groza) dispelled part of the emotions of the contestants.
In the opening speech of the competition, the director of the Infant School n. 11 from Alba Iulia, Prof. Georgeta Bordeu said:
“We all agree that technology has taken over our lives and this has led to a dramatic decrease in physical activity among children.
We can intervene in this reality through education, promoting physical activity among children.
A child who plays and runs is a healthy child, able to deal with intellectual effort successfully.
Thus, after 2 years of the pandemic, we resume the sporting competition: the Olympics of the little Albaiulians.
By competing as a team with each other, we can better learn the values of sport: perseverance, respect, fair play, understanding and friendship.”
Custom flags were flown above the competing crews and their parade was played to the tune of the Olympic anthem.
The column was led by the bearer of the Olympic flame, athlete Roxana Dobîrtă, European vice-champion in taekwondo in her age category and gold medalist at the Balkan championship.
At the end of the parade, the Olympic rings were hoisted onto the “tree”. Each team presented the message of the asylum represented.
The children prepared their bodies for the effort together with fitness and aerobics trainer Bianca Petridean.
The samples of the competition were presented by ed. Oana Dobîrtă and under the supervision of 3 referees appointed by DJST Alba: Dan Susa, Liliana Șandru and Nicolae Avrămuț.
Each trial contained difficulty elements adapted to the children’s age, testing the motor skills of preschoolers in competition: running, jumping obstacles, skills, balance walking, carrying objects, crawling, crawling, etc.
The jury, formed by Prof. Loredana Stan – school inspector for early education at IȘJ Alba, Prof. Georgeta Bordeu, Delia Crișan – the president of the “Little Prince” Association, Prof. Sorin Calaban, Claudiu Nemeș, the mayor’s councilor Gabriel Pleșa and Andreea Giurgiu of the Municipality of Alba Iulia, validated the following results for each individual sample:
“Colored balls competition”: 1. GPP n. 2 help; 2. GPP “Little Red Riding Hood”; 3. GPP no. 8;
“Competitive sportsmen”: 1. GPP n. 14 and GPN Bărăbanț; 2. GPP Step By Step no. 12; 3. Grade. The world of the Smurfs;
“Look for Buclucas”: 1. GPP “Dumbrava Mununata”; 2. Micești GPP; 3. GPP Horda de Jos;
“Competition of the brave”: 1. GPP n.13; 2. GPP n.10; 3. GPP no. 11;
“Champion soldiers”: 1. GPP n. 2 and GPN n.1; 2. GPP no. 9; 3. GPP n.16.
The dance of the organizing kindergarten cheerleaders, girls from the groups “Steluțe” and “Piticii Voinicii”, coached by educators Ioana Boboia and Crina Oltean, was awarded with prizes and diplomas.
“This event combined the effort of completing some sporting tests with the joy of completing the course for the children.
We hope that our little albaiuliani have understood that victory is on the side of those who fight as a team.
Congratulations, dear children, to you and to the educators who trained you! We thank our partners DJST and IȘJ Alba, the participating kindergartens of Alba Iulia and Aiud, the town hall of Alba Iulia and the sponsors who, through their involvement, made it possible to reward the contestants and this wonderful atmosphere”, said Delia Crisan , president of the Alba Iulia “Little Prince” Association.
To the tune of Queen’s song, “We are the champions”, the 75 children were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, diplomas and prizes (a game of darts with balls and a polar sweater worth approx. 60 lei).
The excitement and joy of the premiere moment could be seen on every child’s face on the podium, regardless of their place in the competition.
Personalized flame trophies were awarded to kindergartens with legal personality. Congratulations to all those who, with their work and their involvement, have given the children an unforgettable day.
The information and photos were provided by Crina Ghergu, spokesperson for GPP n.11 Alba Iulia.
