School Sports Week

My community recently hosted their annual sports competitions for students in the 7 schools in my district.  I’ve seen teachers prepping and kids practicing for these events ever since the start of the current term in November.  This seems to be one of the highlights of the school year and the big event of the second school term.  The week kicked off with a parade featuring each school with a banner, the participating athletes, and kids of various ages dressed up in costumes and a whole lot of make-up.  After spending a few hours on parading and presentation and one last parade around the soccer field for a final judging, it was time for food and a rest before the competitions really started.  First up: a football (soccer) game between the area male teachers and the male SAO staff.  Why?  Because I’ve stopped asking questions and just take things as they come now, that’s why. 

Pre-parade prep

Each school also had their own 'band': pictured here

Kicking off the sports competitions

The next several days included many, many competitions between students in the main sports categories: football (soccer), volleyball, dtagraw (like volleyball with a shorter net, smaller ball and played with your feet/head), petanque (like bocce ball), and running events.  I spent the week supporting the kids, chatting with teachers and people I knew from around the community and eating – always eating. 

Dtagraw

Relay races

Volleyball

Spectators

Football (soccer)

Petanque 

Measuring to find the closest ball

Thai people aren’t what I would consider competitive by nature, so I was surprised at just how much everyone got to be so invested in the outcomes of various matches and competitions.  Each school is associated with a different village in the community, so various community leaders and parents came out throughout the week to support the kids and playfully chastise their rivals. In true Thai fashion, loudspeakers were set up around the hosting school grounds for use by the ‘MC’ of the week.  Not a minute was silent as he enthusiastically played music during breaks, commented on the weather, discussed what was for lunch with guest commentators, and described/discussed the appearances and body shapes of various athletes as they competed.

On the second to last night of the competitions it was time for ‘Sports Night’, an event for all the teachers and principals that included dinner, drinks and of course, karaoke and dancing.  It was great to be able to support the kids throughout the week.  It was nice to see a lot of the people I know in the community throughout the week and see all the schools come together for an event like this.   

The main MC of Sports Week

Dancing and karaoke