My friends cousin brother who is a form 2 student in St. George's Institution brought me the happy news that our school is having its annual Sport's Day on the 23rd June 2012. Another opportunity to visit my school since the Canteen Day of last year. Its been so long since i went to my last Sport's Day. If memory doesn't mistake me, the last Sport's Day that i attended was in the year 2000. 12 years, that is quite a long time. I should go, i must go, it was decided.
I woke up early at 7.00am, and got ready. I had to make 3 trips that morning before i can go about doing my work; send my mom to my uncle's house, send my sister to work and then fetch my mom again to send her to work too. By the time it was done, it was already 8.45am. The perfect time to have my breakfast and today i opted to have western. After breakfast, straight to the school field. It took me only ten minutes and i was already there.
First sight of the school field, and the only word i can use to describe it was "disappointing". The environment did not present a highly enthusiastic Sport's Day at all. Only one row of tents were visible. There was not a big crowd to begin with. Very few athletes, few teachers, even fewer parents or families and other student supporters were no where to be seen. Those on duty such as the prefects and St. John boys looked lack luster. The athletic events were going on but no one was seem to be cheering their houses. At the same time the medal presentation ceremony was also taking place and no applause were to be heard. Everyone was minding their own business with most dwelling deeply into their smartphones. Since when did Sport's Day become this dull. When did this turn around of events happen?
During my time it was different, trust me it was totally different. The set up of the whole field would bring about a highly ecstatic environment. There will be a long row of tents to house the guest of honors, PTA guests, principal, teachers who are not actively involved, parents and other family members. This would already constitute a large number of the crowd. There will also be 4 different colored canopies around the running track that corresponds directly with the house colors, Red (Beh), Brown (Edward), Blue (Gilbert) and Green (Henry). These canopies would be filled with the respective house athletes and their supporters. The supporters usually outnumber the athletes easily to a 10 to 1 ratio.
Beside these, there will also will be tents for other uniform units such as the prefects, St. Johns and also the Scout's Marine Band where they will rest before they take over for their friends who will be on duty on their respective posts. Other clubs, societies and also food vendors will take up the opportunity to set up food and beverage stalls to accommodate the large crowd. It will be like a festival, a huge annual celebration. But unfortunately none of these were visible today. The celebration was not only no where to be seen but it was also no where to be felt which i think is far worse. Even though sometimes the crowd doesn't turn up or sometimes the set up is not that good, the spirit was always high. The Georgian spirit never rendered. But sadly i can't say the same for today.
Whatever crowd that was present today were not hyped up. No cheers, no chants, no claps. It was dull and blatant. The only sound of cheers came during the invitational run where SGI 1, SGI 2 and SMK Hua Lian took part in a 4 X 100m race and when the race ended with SGI 1 claiming 1st price there were no more cheers to be heard. Before the main awards of House Champions and Athlete of the Year was given out, most of the students were already leaving. The teachers had to make an announcement for the prefects to close the gates so that the crowd could be retain for the closing ceremony. What an unexpected and sad announcement indeed which never ever occurred last time.
The poor display of Georgian spirit worried me. It was obvious that those students who were not involved in the Sport's Day did not turn up at all. Only the athletes and on duty uniform unit students were present and some of the athletes left the field before their events even started making the events being carried out without full participation. Usually the students who are not involved would still attend the Sport's Day to support their respective houses and cheer their friends. The field would be crowded and will be full of claps and cheers. Even though the other students decided not to come, those who were present did not demonstrate the usually displayed Georgian Spirit.
When i learned that the number of student admission to my school was slowly decreasing throughout the years, i was not very concern as now parents have many options with so many new schools coming up. I thought even though the quantity wasn't there, the quality of a true Georgian will always be there. But today's Sport's Day has showed otherwise. The Georgian Spirit that was part of every Georgian last time has started to falter. I never expected this to happen, i think no one would have expected a day like this to come.
I hope the teachers and the OGA have noticed what is going on. If everything is left like as it is, our beloved Alma Mater can be deeply affected. Action should be taken now so that whatever Georgian Spirit which is still left can be salvaged and then revived. But rather than expecting others to do something , maybe i can think something to contribute. I can't think of anything now, but i should take this responsibilities onto myself as should other Georgians.
It has always been said before that "Once A Georgian, Always A Georgian". We should fight to bring back our glory days and re-instill the Georgian Spirit.
-Georgian Forever-
