School Sports Event

This afternoon we have been invited by one of Paul’s students to a sports day event at Yundum Upper Basic School. We were told to arrive at around 2 o’clock however we decided to leave a bit later knowing what the rule is for things not starting on time. We eventually found the school with some help from a couple of local lads and parked the car in the shade. We found Momadou who was very pleased that we had all come to the event. He ushered us upstairs to the head teachers office and we were given a drink of pop. We decided to take a look in one of the classrooms it was as if we had gone back in time sixty years to how our parents would have been taught. There were rows of tables and benches facing a large blackboard the dust and rubbish on the floor did nothing for the overall picture, very grim. Whilst we were busy looking around Momadou and some others set about moving chairs into the corridor which overlooked the sports field for spectators to sit in. When he had finished he asked us to accompany him to his home to meet his family as he wanted to change his clothes. We set off walking through the streets of Yundum attracting quite a lot of attention being the only toubabs with two young children. We came to the busy highway which connects to Senegambia and Brikama this is the route Paul normally takes to avoid having to drive through Serrekunda. Once we had crossed over the road it was a short walk to reach his house. We received a warm welcome from his mother and brothers. His nieces and nephew were inquisitive peeking at us through the doorway. Bradley broke the ice as usual and took himself outside to chase the chickens and sit with the children. We were offered Atya tea and given a gift of a pawpaw not my favourite fruit I just don’t like the smell of it. Momadou showed us some photos of his sporting career he used to do quite a lot of running until he had problems with his shins. We set of back to the school and were blasted out by the DJ’s sound system. Quite a large crowd had gathered of youths waiting for the races to begin. We were shown back upstairs and seated with the head and other official looking people whilst Momadou went to help with the events. No sooner had we taken a seat we were asked to eat and shown into the head teacher’s office where there was a bowl of Domada but no spoons. After washing our hands we started to share the bowl with five other men. Bradley was quick to get stuck in with his hands all be it both when he should have only used his right hand As for myself I just couldn’t get used to squashing the rice in between my fingers and palm to try to bind it together before trying to get it all into my mouth. Hence more was on the floor and my self all I can say is what a messy way of eating hopefully this will be our first and last attempt of a communal bowl. Whilst we were eating Abigail decided to sit outside as she was not feeling well so was spared the ordeal of having greasy sticky fingers. After a drink and rinse of our hands we made our way back to our seats to watch the events which were just starting at wait for it 4 o’clock. Most of the events were running races ranging from 100 to 5,000 metres, a baton race and an unusual game of musical chairs. The events all seemed to be very dramatic as nearly every race ended with an athlete getting taken off by stretcher having collapsed from heat exhaustion or muscle sprain. In between the events being called the music was blasting out toe tapping music this resulted n a crowd of young boys gathering in front of the DJ and just below where we were sitting. Suddenly one would start dancing and body popping then others would join in. They had such a good rhythm and I just couldn’t help glancing down to watch them instead of the races. The crowd got bigger and bigger and after taking a couple of photos of them they danced even more. Even Bradley was bopping along to the music which resulted in the children pointing and laughing at him. He then asked to go downstairs as he wanted to join them. On walking down the stairs we were greeted halfway by lots of happy children. Bradley decided he didn’t want to dance however the children danced away impressing us with their moves. We were really enjoying the races and music however we decided to leave as it was nearly 7 o’clock thanking Momadou and the head teacher for their hospitality before we left.