This year’s U13 BSME Games were the largest ever held, with 21 schools from Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE taking part.  

The Opening Ceremony was held at Dubai Sports City and was a little chilly, as befits a January morning. However, as the teams walked out onto the track, each with a school flag, the excitement and anticipation of the three days of competition ahead could be seen on all the students’ faces.   

Day 1 was devoted to athletics.  Track and field events were held at Dubai Sports City and Gems World Academy.  In the boys’ competition, highlights included Owen winning the 200m and 3^rd places were achieved by Edward in the Javelin and the boys’ 4 x 200m relay team. Maddie won the Javelin and Marysa was 3rd in the 400m in the girls’ competition.

Day 2 was Football for the girls and Volleyball for the boys.  

The girls’ Football team played well in their first couple of games.  The result of the third game would determine whether or not the team would progress as one of the top eight teams to the next round.  Against tough opposition, the team won and this took them into a playoff game. They ended up placing 5th overall in the final standings. 

The boys’ Volleyball was held at Dubai British School Jumeirah.  Mr Edgar had coached this novice team and it was clear in their first game they had mastered the basic skills and had a good understanding of the game.  Topping their group and coming through a quarter-final, the semi-final was against British School Kuwait.  In a tight game, BSAK lost to their rivals from Kuwait, who would go on to win the final.  BSAK placed 4th overall.  

On the final day, both Netball and Football were held at King’s School Al Barsha.  One of the most memorable parts of the day was watching the boys and girls support each other as they played their respective fixtures.  The girls grew in confidence as they played their group games and moved into a semi-final.  Unlucky in this game, they were later edged into 4th place.   

The boys moved through their own group games and deep into the competition. The semi-final was a see-saw game, which BSAK won by the odd goal in five.  In a great act of sportsmanship, the two teams spent time together after the game bonding over what may have been the best match of the day. In the final, BSAK lost to the only goal of a tight game. 

At the BSME Games Gala Dinner that evening, Robert received the Most Valuable Player for football and the final tournament places were eagerly anticipated.  

When BSAK’s second place was announced the students were thrilled.  For many of the 23 BSAK squad members, it was their first multi-sport games and individually and together they showed that determination, concentration, consistency and hard work were rewarded with good results throughout the competition. The School is extremely proud of all of them. 

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