Inter-School Games Championship 2008

In keeping with the events commemorating the 15-year celebrations of ISC Lahore, an Interschool Games Championship was held here at ISC Lahore from 28th of November to 30th November 2008. The inauguration ceremony was held amid great pomp and heraldry. A large number of parents and guests graced the occasion. The chief guest, Mrs. Neva Usman, Chairperson Chief Minister’s Sports Task Force, formally announced the commencement of the games.

Nine schools from all over Lahore participated in the three-day championship. Prominent among these schools were Bloomfield Hall, LACAS, Resource Academia, SICAS and ISC Lahore. The players were competing in four categories: Under-18 Basketball, Under-16 Football, Under-14 Cricket and athletics. The cavalcade of teams assembled in the backfield for national anthem. A special group of cheerleaders entertained the audience by their beautifully synchronized performance. They were clad in lovely pink costumes and delighted the guests by their cartwheels and aerobic exercises.

Soon the preliminary games began to sort out the teams into two pools. Later they would play in the semifinals and then finally compete in the final matches. Each team and every player was determined to outdo the other. Their resolve was especially evident on the basketball court and the cricket field.

Moreover, professional referees had been present for neutral umpiring in all of the games. Their decisions were regarded as final and undisputed. Special passes had been issued for each day of the championship. The entire event was captured by the local media as well as the school photographer. Furthermore, ample supply of food and soft drinks was offered. Both the audience and the players regaled themselves with snacks and soft drinks from the stalls set up by Pizza Hut, Subway and Walls Ice Cream!

We were blessed with glorious weather throughout the championship. The skies were bright and blue and the sun shone benevolently over the participants as if it was conspiring with autumn to make the even a success!

The highlights of the championship were the basketball games which attracted large crowds. Avid supporters screamed themselves hoarse while cheering for their respective teams. Here, we must specially mention grade twelve students who were not only helping in the managing the event as prefects but they were also offering support to various teams. ISC’s basketball teams were indomitable and they remained undefeated in all the matches!

In short, the players displayed great discipline and decorum during the games. In fact, one of the cricket teams of Bloomfield Hall actually cheered for ISC when they were playing against LACAS! Such sportsmanship and fairness was displayed in keeping with the spirit of the games!

The championship ended with the prize distribution ceremony. As the sun went down on the horizon, cheers went up for the winners in different categories. Bloomfield Hall won the U-16 Football as well as the U-14 Cricket games. ISC Lahore won the U-18 Basketball game as well as athletics! The trophy was awarded to ISC Lahore for scoring the most points. Mrs. Neva Usman, the chief guest, Mr. Mounir Geha, Director ISC Lahore; Mrs. Margo Abdelaziz, Deputy Director ISC Lahore; Mrs. Dunia Geha, Head of SLO ISC Lahore; were all there to award medals to the winning teams. The winners danced to the tune of local “bhangra”, Pakistani local dance, as tea and snacks were offered to the guests.

Even after the championship, the festive mood still lingers in the minds and hearts of the participants as well as the teachers. Grade twelve supporters developed soar throats the following week, but it didn’t deter them from raving about the games. The teachers and prefects went about their daily tasks but I admit the event had developed a special affinity and a sense of bonding between the students and teachers.

Three cheers for ISC Lahore for conducting a successful Interschool Sports Championship!