This year’s Athletics Carnival was held on 27 January 2024. It engaged students across several year groups as they competed in several track and field events. The field events were held on Friday, 26 January after school, whilst the track events were held the next day. All Colours presented the best of their athletes for the carnival. It was a fast track as three of our standing records fell. Philip Boahen is the new record holder for the 100m event for 13-year-olds. The new record is 13.69sec from the previous one of 13.82sec. In the 100m event for 16-year-olds (girls), Briana Boateng set a new record of 14.84sec, an improvement from the previous record of
14.88sec. Finally, Franklin Adu Baah set a new record in the 100m event for 17-year-olds. The old record stood at 12.09 sec. His new record is 12.06sec.

Here are some pictures and reflections from students at the Athletics Carnival.

This year’s athletics competition was one that I cannot compare to any other inter-colour competition I have experienced. I was in extreme pain for the majority of the day. This is because I wasn’t strategic with my training, and instead of resting on the days approaching, I pushed myself harder, thereby preventing my muscles from resting. Regardless, I performed to the best of my ability and attended all the events I signed up for, five in total. The highlight of my day was winning the Champion of Champions race, which
was my third race, and the most extreme of my muscle pain that day. Because of how extremely tight my thigh and calf muscles felt at the moment, I did not think I would win it, but I did, and all glory be to God for that, because I don’t believe I could have done it without Him. Overall, the athletics competition was a roller-coaster of emotions, from forcing people to go to training, to feeling demotivated myself, to cheering on the very same people I was forcing to come to training, seeing them excel, and finally, seeing them as proud of themselves as I am of them. I felt like a proud mother seeing the majority of them cross the finish line first, and throw as far as they could, smiles on their breathless faces. I am forever an advocate for athletic engagement, because everything is always a surprise, and I’m always grateful for the opportunity. Blue for the win! – Brianna Boateng (Grade 10)

“The athletics carnival for me was a very interesting one. I am someone who does not usually participate in running activities but I decided to give it a try during this athletics carnival. When running I decided to sign up for 100 metres and 200 metres. Before starting the 100 metres I gave myself motivation and decided to try my best and I came first in my race by a little bit. When running my 200 metres, my fear rose even more because I had never run 200 metres before but I decided to give it a try. When running the 200, I also came first by a margin which shocked me because this was my first time. In the end, I discovered how good I was if I put my mind to it and persevered till the end.” – Abdul Salam Abanga (Grade 11)

Despite being in my second semester of Grade 12, I made a deliberate effort to join this year’s athletics carnival because of my genuine passion for sports and my appreciation for Yellow Outeniqua. The training sessions leading up to the actual events proved to be highly beneficial as they allowed me to learn techniques that improved my throwing abilities. Participating in javelin, shot put, and discus was my way of representing my colour to the best of my ability. Even though I made a mistake in my first discus throw, I remained positive and focused on the other activities. Overall, I found the entire experience of the carnival to be energising and fun. YELLOWWWW!

– Mercedes Armah(Grade 12)

Being part of my first athletics carnival in Grade 7 was super exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. I did the 100m, 200m, 400m, and relay races. Running in the 100m and 200m was like a big rush. The 400m was a bit tough, testing my stamina. The relay race was all about teamwork, passing the baton smoothly, and running together. Winning was not just about me; it was about working hard with my teammates and having a blast on the track. This sports day taught me it’s not just about winning alone; it’s about pushing myself, helping others, and having fun. This experience on the track marked the start of a sports journey that taught me important lessons about succeeding on my own and with others. I noticed I need to work on my breathing control and passing the baton to my teammates, so I’ll take my training seriously to make everything polished next time. – Nadia Yakubu (Grade 7)

The entire sports competition this year, from the preparation to the 4 x 100 relay, was captivating. I took away a lot of things, but one that stuck with me was to never take training for granted. The entire school community joined together to support and honour athleticism, and there was an infectious passion. The competition changed into a vibrant display of energy, with contestants going above and beyond and happy spectators in between. The school’s athletics programme places a strong emphasis on the importance of cooperation and teamwork, and I would be more than happy to compete in the upcoming sporting event. – Kevin Boateng (Grade 11)

The athletics carnival was grand and very engaging. I am sad that this is my last athletics carnival in TIS, and I am thrilled that I attended it. Although I did not participate in many activities, I am pleased that I supported my colour throughout the wins and losses and engaged in the girls’ 4 x 100 relay. Although my colour didn’t win, I am happy I did something for the colour and myself. I used it as an opportunity to see my abilities, and although I was nervous and thought I’d regret participating afterwards, I can boldly say that was not the case. The athletics carnival allowed me to see the potential of people, which was terrific, and I’m sure they saw it for themselves, too. I look forward to using my experience to embark on other athletic-based events in and out of TIS. – Ewuradjoa Obeng- Nkansah (Grade 12)

Participating in the recent athletics carnival at school turned out to be a surprising and exhilarating experience for me, especially during the 400m relay. At first, I must admit, the idea of running in front of the entire school was a bit daunting. As someone who hadn’t engaged in serious running for a while, the prospect of the 400-metre relay was met with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I hadn’t been actively involved in track events for some time and was apprehensive about my performance.

However, my previous experience with track, combined with the thrill of competition, encouraged me to give it my all. Little did I know that this decision would lead to a moment of triumph and satisfaction. To my delight, the gap I had created made it significantly easier for my team to secure victory in the senior female’s mixed relay. The sense of accomplishment and the pride in contributing to my team’s success overshadowed any initial fear or doubt I had harboured. This experience has undoubtedly left a lasting impression, and I am eager to participate in future athletics events. The carnival served as a reminder of the joy that sports can bring, the sense of community it fosters, and the personal growth that comes with pushing oneself beyond perceived limits. I am grateful for the opportunity, and without a doubt, I would eagerly embrace the chance to participate in such an event again. – Maadjoa Obeng-Nkansah (Grade 12)