On June 23rd, 2023, the entire Kololo SS Community gathered at the school playground for an eagerly awaited day of sports competitions. This day-long event, commencing at 9 a.m. and concluding at 5 p.m., primarily featured an array of track and field events, as ball games had already been completed in the first term.

The meticulous planning of the Sports Department resulted in the formation of eight teams, each bearing distinctive names: – Gazelles, Pelicans, Silverbacks, Oryx, Rhinos, Otters, Kobs, and Reedbucks. Each team was assigned dedicated teachers, entrusted with the responsibility of orchestrating and guiding the students to deliver their optimal performances, a responsibility they executed with remarkable competence.

In a quest to determine the champion, each team was tasked with presenting participants in various disciplines of track and field events. Points were allocated to participants based on their performance, with the team amassing the highest points being declared the winner.

The track events featured a variety of distances and relays, catering to both genders. These included 25 laps for boys, 12½ laps for both boys and girls, 7½ laps for boys and girls, 3½ laps for boys and girls, 2 laps, 1 lap, 4x400m relays, 4x100m relays, and the 100m sprint. The field events showcased javelin, discus, and shot-put, open to both boys and girls.

With the stage set, the competitions commenced, prioritising the track events. Spectators, including the entire Kololians community, watched in awe and fervently cheered on the participants as they demonstrated their speed and stamina, racing towards the finish line.

The students, better described as passionate fans, remained active throughout the day. Their unwavering enthusiasm, cheers, and spirited support infused the school athletes with the motivation and energy they needed to bring honour to their respective teams.

One could not help but be struck by the abundance of talent within our school community, both among the boys and girls. This day served as an eye-opener, revealing the profound reservoir of talent within our institution. However, it also sparked a series of contemplations and inquiries that had long been in my thoughts. While we aim to provide comprehensive education, have we invested adequately in talent development? How do we envision achieving a well-rounded education? What does our school truly stand for, especially in light of our claim as an international school? It is undeniable that we possess considerable resources and untapped talents within our school, which must be harnessed if we are to realise our full potential. While Sports Day offered a glimpse of our capabilities, it is essential to acknowledge that it is a one-day event, incapable of fully uncovering, nurturing, developing, and producing top-tier talents, which should be our ultimate goal.

By 5 o’clock, all the different activities had concluded, and the eagerly awaited announcement of results was imminent. As a result, Pelicans, under the leadership of Madam Hajirah Nassali and Teacher Lukyamuzi Herbert, were declared the champions of this one-day event, having amassed an impressive 348 points.

Rhinos secured the second position with 284 points, a mere four points ahead of Oryx in third place. Silverbacks, Gazelles, Reedbucks, Otters, and Kobs emerged fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively.

The day was characterised by awe-inspiring and captivating individual performances as students showcased their inherent talents on a memorable Friday.

Moving forward, it is imperative that our school reevaluates its approach to talent development and the provision of a holistic education. Failure to do so may result in contradictions and hinder us from attaining our true aspirations.

Story by
AKANKWASA ADRIAN,
Senior 5 (S.5) Arts.