If you’ve ever crouched at the starting line, heart beating, anxiously waiting for the whistle to blow, you definitely know the mix of anticipation and excitement that filled Strathmore today during our sports day. For an entire week, campus conversations carried that same nervous excitement. Along the corridors, playful taunts flew back and forth, “Wait until you see my football team winning!”

Friday, 29th August 2025, students in their bright tees, staff laced up in their shoes, music in the background. The moment everyone had been waiting for was finally here. They each joined their teams and prepared to represent their schools in everything from football and rugby to chess, scrabble, karate and swimming. This wasn’t just about winning; it was about belonging.

The campus was unrecognizable. Gone were the crisp shirts and formal wear, replaced by a sea of bold-colored T-shirts, each faculty claiming its shade. The brilliant light blue of SHSS stood out from a mile away, matched only by the infectious smiles all around. Anticipation buzzed as people stretched, laughed, and hyped each other up for the day ahead.

The whistle blew, and the energy came alive. Zumba set the tempo and everyone dancing to the rhythm of the music blasting from the speakers. The 5000m race kicked off with cheers echoing across the field and soon, every corner of the sports complex was alive with competition. From the football pitch to the basketball court, rugby tackles to volleyball serves, the air was thick with chants, applause and friendly rivalry with SBS members chanting “SBS Strong!!!”

Under a shaded tent, minds clashed just as fiercely over chessboards and Scrabble tiles, with each winning move drawing gasps from spectators. Beyond the games, the flea market buzzed with so much life, vendors offered everything from tasty treats to jewelry. Evidently, there was something for everyone!

Fun came in all shapes and sizes. The bouncing castle, meant for kids, turned into an unlikely crowd-puller. Students, lecturers, and even staff who swore they were “just watching” couldn’t resist jumping in. The air was filled with shrieks of laughter, playful races up the inflatable walls, and people tumbling down like carefree children. For a few minutes, no one was too old to bounce. Elsewhere, the atmosphere was just as electric. A long line formed at the face-painting tent, bright swirls, tribal stripes, and glittery butterflies marked the faces of both players and cheerleaders. Ice pops became the fuel of the day, with vendors barely keeping up with the demand under the scorching sun. And whenever the DJ spun a banger song, dance circles grouped out of nowhere, and people danced their hearts out.

By the time the relays and finals rolled around, the stakes felt higher. The track vibrated with chants and stomping feet. Runners crouched at the starting line, nerves visible, while their teammates banged on barriers, urging them on. When the whistle blew, the entire crowd seemed to surge forward with each stride, as if running alongside their champions. Every baton carried pride, bragging rights, and months of faculty banter. Victories turned into eruptions of joy, teammates lifting each other in the air, sweaty hugs, and chants echoing so loudly you’d think Upper Hill was cheering too.

When the medals were finally draped around necks, the golden shimmer wasn’t the only thing shining. What truly stood out was the togetherness.Rivals on the field hugged at the finish line, staff danced with students, and strangers became teammates. Some proudly walked away with five medals clinking around their necks, others celebrated that their entire friend group had each won a match, while many simply took pride in trying something new, whether it was learning a sport for the first time or stepping into an arena they’d only ever watched from the sidelines.

One of the most heartwarming sights was Louis Burallo and members of the Community Service Centre patiently teaching students how to ride a bicycle, proving that Sports Day was about more than competition, it was about discovery, laughter, and growth. It was an all-round experience that left everyone immersed, almost entranced in the spirit of the day.

At the end of the day, the spotlight fell on the SCES faculty, crowned the champions of Sports Day 2025. “Ut Omnes Unum Sint”, that all may be one, a living reality on the field. Sports Day 2025 wasn’t about who crossed the finish line first; it was about the community that ran, played, laughed, and triumphed together as one Strathmore family.

Article written by Linda Rerimo, 3rd Year student pursuing BA in Communications