JEDDAH, 23 February 2007 — For the fifth year, the British School in Jeddah (BSIJ) was host to the Festival of Football, a fiercely contested competition held to celebrate football and strengthen ties between the many international schools in Jeddah. Structured on the World Cup organization of matches — group rounds and then knockout competition — over 250 children in teams of 8 competed for the prizes of MP4 players presented by one of the sponsors for the day, Britannia Biscuits.
“It’s about the fun of football,” said Karen Moore, Year Three teacher at BSIJ and one of the organizers, “But there is a strong element of competition and teamwork involved.”
The teams she explained did not represent the schools the players came from but were picked at random from the individual entrants. “This puts together teams that might have players from eight different schools,” she said. “To be competitive, they have to work together and usually end up as friends.”
The teams were given name of famous football clubs and stormed into the spirit of league football. No idle kickabout this — determined fledgling Renaldos and Beckhams attacked and challenged as devotedly as their heroes. Although there were plenty of spectacular tumbles, the first aid tent was not over busy.
Those children who chose to avoid the physical challenge of football joined the players in both a quiz on football matters and a competition to design a new fantasy team strip.
“The children and older students run the day,” said Debs Cave, BSIJ Year 5 teacher. “This year we asked the International Baccalaureate students to act as team ‘managers’ and organise their charges.” As the knockout stage of the competition whittled away the teams, the IB managers — on as much of a learning curve as their teams — could be seen becoming more stressed and anxious that there team showed well in the fray.
“That’s all part of the game and what it has to teach,” said Moore. “Competition and getting on together are positive things to learn.”
Players in the festival came from: The American International School, Al Wadi International School, British International School, the French School, Global International School, Jeddah International School, Jeddah Prep, The Korean School, and the Taymer International School.
Just to confuse the issue, Hamburg beat Arsenal in the final one goal to nil.
