By Chukwuemerie Anyene
British Spring College (BSC), Awka, had during the school inter-house on 24th March, wrapped up their sports tournament for this season, in a defining moment, with Mary Slessor House emerging the latest BSC Champion, and raising the bar of victory for two consecutive times.
The event was exhilarating, glamorous and beehive of activities. Some BSC students; namely, Onubuogu Joyce Chinazom of Mary Slessor House, Udeze Adaora of Lord Lugard House, Chukwujimbe Jennifer of Nnamdi Azikiwe House, and Arinze Melvin of Herbert Macaulay House, led the match past. The students, who had won laurels for the school in many international competitions, gave cautionary word of command, in paramilitary style, advancing with their house members, on track suits of their colour. Wheeling, they opened order, closed and reviewed, while taking dressing. Attention later shifted to their line formations and eyes right to salute the Principal of BSC, Mr K. Cent Obi.
Captivated by the match past of the first runner-up, Mr Samson Nwabuike, who anchored the event, lauded some academic staff. According to him, the students joined league with Hillary Amulu, one of the school ICT experts; Chukwuemerie Anyene, BSC Editorial Board Chairman; Peter Imoh, Behavioural Policy Chairman of the college; and Samson Egurefa, PhD, Head of Sciences; on daily rehearsals before the grand-finale.
In the build up of event, fans and spectators were seen cheering the athletics and other competitors. The inter-house took place at BSC big pitch stadium, after weeks of physical and intellectual training. It saw the athletics competing in various field and track events. Races of different metres were designed to test the students’ swiftness, dexterity, patience and endurance. In his address, the Principal and Representative of Director of British Spring College (Lady Uju Dike), Mr K. Cent Obi praised the school, saying that the students and their teachers, house parents as well as other staff of the college, had invested so much time and energy in the extra-curricular activities. The school centre administrator further stated how the college had already mapped out Friday, after study hours, for different sports activities. According to him, the essence bordered on teamwork, discipline, physical and general well-being of students in BSC. He described inter-house as the function of bringing the best in students, so as to deal with real life situations. The Principal, however, recounted how COVID-19 hysteria and problems associated it stalled the historic event since 2019. “Today, we have been able to resuscitate this essential programme in our school life,” he stated, stressing that all sports activities in the school culminated into inter-house.
Meanwhile, the four houses in BSC had lighted up the programme and pledged to accept the outcome of the inter-house and imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, no matter their emotion, temper or the side pendulum would swing. The school Safeguarding Team were also there to give a risk assessment, aimed at saving athletes from strains and injuries. Hygiene measures were equally well-pronounced, with BSC medical personnel present, to give first aid and attend to competitors.
Another contest judged separately that day was the royal parade where Herbert Macaulay showed mastery of dance steps heightened by music and a compelling dramatic story, featuring scenery, costume, make-up, as well as acrobatic display; to win first position. This time, Mary Slessor came second, while Nnamdi Azikiwe dropped to third. Lord Lugard came the distant fourth position. The inscription on the flags were ‘The Originals’ for Herbert Macaulay (green colour), ‘Centre of Glamour’ for Lord Lugard (yellow colour), ‘Service to Humanity’ for Mary Slessor (red colour) and ‘Pride of BSC’ for Nnamdi Azikiwe (blue colour). Races, categorised under junior and senior, boys and girls, participated by the athletes ranged from 100metres, 200metres, 400metres, to 4 × 100metre relay. There were also egg race and sack race before the royal parade.
Towards the ends of the event, temper became very high. Eventually, Mary Slessor House was plunged into jubilations the moment they were declared overall BSC Champion, for winning the highest number of games in the inter-house events. The declaration was made by three inter-house judges (Nnaemezie Ugochi Adaobi, Ojukwu Uche Amara and Chinelo Chukwudinka) drawn from a sister school, Springfield Academy, Onitsha. Nnamdi Azikiwe House was left with second position while Lord Lugard and Herbert Macaulay Houses came third in 2023 BSC sports ranking. Also in match past, Mary Slessor maintained the first position, with 165 points. Their main challenger was Lord Lugard who came second with 149 points. Nnamdi Azikiwe trailed with 147 points for the third position. Herbert Macaulay was left behind with 141 points.
Reacting after the event, the House Champion of Mary Slessor, Mr Chris Osuala congratulated his house members, for their victory. He further confirmed that Mary Slessor had also won the trophy in 2019, before COVID-19 break. “There was no competition again till this year,” he said. Mr Osuala finally expressed his appreciation to the school authority for the success of 2023 inter-house, flagged off at the beginning of second term. Other House Champions in BSC sports were Mr Chinedu Ezeigwe (Nnamdi Azikiwe), Mr Chukwuma Nwoko (Lord Lugard) and Engr Onyedikachukwu Daniel (Herbert Macaulay). Complementing their efforts were the House Captains, Chukwujimbe Stephanie of Mary Slessor House, Chukwujimbe Jennifer of Nnamdi Azikiwe House, Modebelu Chinenye of Lord Lugard House, and Madunagu Chisom of Herbert Macaulay House. The composition of BSC extra-curricular activities had teachers as House Champions and students as House Captains.
2023 BSC inter-house officials comprised staff of the college including the school coach, Michael Smith, Mr; BSC Head of Administration, Freedom Iwara, PhD; Academic Supervisor of Senior School, Gift Chike-Okafor, Mrs; Academic Supervisor of Junior School, Ken Nwoye, Mr; BSC Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Richard Wale, Mr; and Year 8 Emerald Form Tutor, Ugwu Chinecherem, Ms.
Recall that before the inter-house day, the students equally competed in football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, shot put and badminton games. The inter-house was the second spectacular event that would be taking place in 2022/2023 academic session, the first being the BSC Cultural Festival. Programme Consultant of the world class school had always been Mr Shola Animashaun.