Sprinting to the finish line

BAHRAIN played host last weekend to a mini-Olympics for students of British schools spread across the region.

Formed in 1982, the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) is a network of approximately 100 schools spreading from Jordan to Iran and down to Oman. St Christopher’s hosted 24 teams from the organisation to compete in a range of sporting activities in a threeday extravaganza aimed at providing strong competition in an environment that also encouraged a sense of fair play and an opportunity to make new friends.

All schools could bring U15 BSME Games squads of 12 boys and 12 girls to take part in the event. Points were awarded on each day depending on the finishing position in the different sports with the overall winner being the school side that accumulated the most points.

With 288 students battling it out over three strenuous days, the competition was very strong. The event kicked off with football for both the boys and girls teams staged at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Janabiya. 

The local school’s girls A team dominated all opposition during the group stage, easily topping its league by winning every game without conceding a goal. However, St Christopher’s were severely tested in the semi-finals against Dubai British School. Despite dominating for long periods they conceded an equaliser to a breakaway and were unable to clinch a decider.

In a tense penalty shootout it was a magnificent diving one-handed save from Sara Hachfield that ultimately took them to the final. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) provided a stern test in the final until a mazy run from Erica Moolman and cool finish into the top corner clinched the title for the home team.

In the boys division it was the St Christopher’s B-team, fielding a mostly younger squad that proved to be the surprise package, winning two matches on the back of a hatful of goals from prolific Mitchell Haseid, although they just failed to reach the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the A-team got off to a sluggish start which ultimately cost them a chance of winning the trophy. Despite only conceding one goal in all six matches early draws consigned one of the favourites to a play-off against their B-team.

Having now hit their stride, early goals from Aiden Shretta and Sami Elkady made for what was a comfortable victory to claim fifth place. The Sultan School from Oman defeated Al Khubairat in the final.

The following day saw the girls turn to netball and the boys to volleyball at St Christopher’s Isa Town senior school location. This time it was the boys’ time to shine with the A-team comfortably disposing of four of the five teams they faced. 

Again the B-team drew the crowds with some enigmatic but ultimately thrilling performances. Defeating the top teams in their group yet losing to the supposed weaker sides the side at one stage came from 15-points behind to clinch victory cheered on by enthusiastic parents.

Remarkably both teams from St. Christopher’s School therefore qualified for the semi-final although they were glad to avoid each other on this occasion. Ultimately both teams fell to the British International School of Jeddah who were clearly superior although silver and bronze medals again demonstrate the remarkable strength in depth that the Bahrain-based school possesses.

The girls battled hard in a strong netball group and came agonisingly close to reaching the final four although two tied games where they were unable to convert their chances meant that they missed out.

Yet by this stage the exertions of the two days were starting to take their toll and defeat to Brighton College from Abu Dhabi means that they finished in sixth place.

It was tired limbs that arrived at the Saar site for a series of athletics events ranging from various track races (100m up to 800m in addition to a relay) and field events (long jump, high jump and shot putt).

There were some tremendous performances throughout although the one that will live long in the memory of the large partisan home crowd will be the final event, the girls’ relay. With tensions high as the final overall placings were unknown, the relay team from Jeddah took an early advantage on the opening lap and were able to maintain a healthy lead up to the final changeover.

When home favourite Moolman took the baton for the last lap she trailed by approximately 70m. Fresh from dominating the 100m final she slowly ate into the lead. Yet as the Jeddah team entered the final straight Moolman appeared to have too much to do – or so it appeared to the crowd.

Yet she was merely pacing herself and turned on the after-burners to blitz home and win by fully 10m! Ultimately the athletics title was claimed by the school from Al Khubairat which helped them claim the trophy for the most successful overall team over the weekend.

St Christopher’s A claimed bronze in the athletics and overall and its battling B team came 11th out of the 13 competing schools. Rob Subbiani, head of physical education and director of sport at St Christopher’s, said: “Over the three days I was delighted with the atmosphere of the Games, with students showing a real positive sporting attitude.

standard of performance in all four sports was exceptionally high, with many teams and individuals excelling.” These sentiments were endorsed by one of the coaches from Dubai who paid particular tribute to one child from St. Christopher’s A-team in the volleyball.  With his team looking exasperated at a line-call from a smash that had landed on the opposite side to the umpire, the fairminded student persuaded the official that the ball had landed inside the court and to overturn his decision. 

The Dubai coach was quick to applaud the sportsmanship which, he said, was an example to players the world over and set a tremendous tone for the Games.

One parent, Leaana Baker, added: “Not only do these events offer children the chance to compete against each other, it creates a moment in time where memories and friendships are made that will last a life time. In an event that is so competitive, emotions run strong, successes are celebrated and lessons learned on how to handle not winning or placing in events.  We felt very blessed that our children had this opportunity.”