Essays

Our annual School Sports Day falls normally in the month of November each year. It is not a very grand affair like some other schools, but it is the grandest as far as our school is concerned. We are not considered a 'premier' school but we do what we can to make the Sports Day as memorable as it can be.

On the morning of this Sports Day, which is a Saturday, almost every student is involved in its preparation, the opening ceremony is due to start at 2 pm and there are many things to get ready before that. Many boys and girls are busy decorating their respective House Booths so that they look as beautiful as possible. There is a prize for the best booth and each House (there are four of them) is set on winning the honour.

Some boy scouts are busy arranging chairs in the pavilion just next to the school field. These chairs are for our Guest of Honour and the public who come to watch the events. The gardeners are busy decorating '.he pavilion with potted plants. I help in polishing award trophies and tying new ribbons onto them. Then with two of my friends, we help the teacher in-charge arrange the trophies and medallions on a large table in front of the pavilion. They are to be presented to the winners later.

At 1.30 pm the school field is filled with students. The contingent of athletes stand ready in front of the pavilion. They are all dressed in white. The boys are in trousers and the girls in skirts. Each of them have a coloured sash across their chest to signify which house they belong to. It is quite a sight to see the flashes of red, yellow, green and blue all neatly arranged in rows waiting for the opening ceremony to begin.

The other students wait at their booths. The guests wait at the pavilion. I wait at the prizes table with two of my friends. We are dressed in our normal school uniform but we have ties to smarten things up. It is a hot thing wearing ties.

The monotonous music issuing from the four trumpet loudspeakers in the middle of the field suddenly ceases and a jagged voice announces the arrival of the Chairman of the School's Board of Governors. All eyes turn to the group of people surrounding a big car at the entrance of the field- Presently, they walk to the pavilion and sit down in the allocated places. Then the ubiquitous sound of 'The school band' fills the air and the contingent of athletes begin marching in tight formations.

They describe a pre-arranged pattern round the field and finally position themselves in front of the pavilion. The Chairman gives a short speech after which he declares the start of the proceedings for the Sports Day.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, the main events begin. The starter's gun cracks many times to start the 100 m, 200m , 400 m and other races. I myself have to take part in the 4x 100 m for my house. I am not much of a runner, but they need someone to fill the team. Surprisingly, we came second in the race. Well, second out of four competitors is not too bad.

I also help my teacher hand over the prizes to the VIPs to present to the winners. Various people have been called to give away the prizes. They are the people considered important by the school.

The events run off smoothly and at 4. 30 pm we take a break for refreshments. After that the remaining events are completed.

Six o'clock arrives and the closing ceremony begins with the contingent of tired but happy athletes marching round the field once again. It has been a great afternoon. The weather is wonderful, the spectators are wonderful and everyone is happy. Finally we gather around the prizes' table in ordered formations while the Chairman's wife gives away the challenge trophies. Shouts of approval and claps fill the air everytime a winner is called.

After the last trophy is given away, the school Captain leads the whole school in giving three cheers to the Chairman's wife. As the roar of the cheers die away, the murmur of contented voices is heard as the people, students and guests alike, disperse and leave the venue. It was indeed a memorable sports day.