Indian School Salalah has long established a legacy of remarkable achievements across various inter-school competitions, consistently excelling in both sports and cultural arenas while continuously raising the bar for excellence. Adding yet another vibrant feather to its decorated cap, the institution proudly lifted the ISTF 2026 Championship Trophy for the second consecutive year.

The Indian School Talent Fest (ISTF) 2026, hosted by Indian School Bousher under the aegis of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman, was held on November 4 and 5, 2026. Bringing together almost all Indian schools across Oman, the grand two-day event provided a prominent platform for students to display their talents in art, music, performing arts, and literary events. The fest kicked off on the first day with an inspiring Inaugural Ceremony, with competitive events getting underway alongside the opening proceedings. On the second day, the remaining events were brought to a close, culminating in the grand Valedictory Function.

The school marked a historic victory by lifting the ISTF 2026 Championship Trophy, successfully retaining the championship title won in the previous edition. To participate in this prestigious event, the school sent a strong contingent of 129 students and 23 accompanying teachers, transported in four buses, under the coordination of Mrs. Vidya P. Pillai and the ISTF team of ISS. Displaying commendable grit and dedication, ISS students travelled over 1,100 km to participate, braving the challenges of a long journey and adapting to unfamiliar conditions.

Expressing her delight over the remarkable achievement, Principal Ms. Saher M.A. Sayed congratulated the students, teachers, coordinators, and parents whose collective efforts contributed to this historic success. She praised the participants for their resilience, discipline, and dedication in overcoming the challenges of a demanding journey and intense competition to bring laurels to the school.

Ms. Saher Sayed also conveyed her sincere gratitude to Indian School Bousher, the host school, for its warm hospitality, meticulous planning, and excellent arrangements throughout the event. She appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee, volunteers, and the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman for providing a vibrant platform that celebrated student talent and fostered camaraderie among Indian schools across the Sultanate. She noted that the gracious support and welcoming atmosphere extended to all participating schools played a significant role in making ISTF 2026 a memorable and enriching experience for every participant.

This monumental success story was made possible through the continuous vision, guidance, and unwavering support of the School Management Committee (SMC) and the school administration. Special appreciation goes to the Principal, Ms. Saher M.A. Sayed, and Vice-Principals Mr. Mammikutty T.V. and Ms. Ambika Padmanabhan, whose leadership and encouragement motivated the entire team to achieve excellence on this platform.

The contingent delivered a stellar performance across all age divisions, earning top grades in solo and group events. Students demonstrated exceptional talent across every level, competing in six solo events in the Preparatory Stage (Twinkles), eight solo events in the Middle Stage (Sparkles), and ten solo events in the Secondary Stage (Dynamix). Capping off a remarkable showing, led by dominant solo performances, the school also competed in eleven group events in the Open Category (Vibrance). Among these, the school’s vibrant Punjabi Folk Dance earned special recognition and the distinct honour of being selected to perform during the Valedictory Function.

Additionally, students participated in non-competitive events, where Ms. Mahimi Upadaya (Class 3D) secured a place among the top three participants in the Children with Special Needs (CWSN) category. In the Foundational Stage school-level jingle competitions, Adhvika Susmi (Class 2F) secured 1st place in Classical Dance and 2nd place in Fancy Dress, while Vedhvika Sreejith (Class 2A) secured 1st place in Fancy Dress and 2nd place in Classical Dance.

Following this historic triumph, SMC President Dr. Syed Ahsan Jamil, other honourable members of the SMC, Principal Ms. Saher M.A. Sayed, and Vice-Principals Mr. Mammikutty T.V. and Ms. Ambika Padmanabhan warmly applauded and commended the entire ISTF team, including students and teachers in charge of various events, for their remarkable teamwork, dedication, and stellar performance.

More than a championship victory, ISTF 2026 stands as a celebration of perseverance, teamwork, and the indomitable spirit of ISS. From months of dedicated preparation to overcoming the challenges of a demanding journey, every participant contributed to a story of commitment and excellence. As the championship trophy makes its way back to Salalah for a second consecutive year, it symbolizes not merely success in competition but the collective passion, resilience, and pursuit of excellence that define the spirit of ISS.