TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR’S NOTE

The BSME Games at every age group are my favourite weekends of the year, bringing everything I love about my role and sport together in spectacular weekends of action. The whole weekend is put together by a group of volunteers who have one common goal: to give our students and young adults the best experience available.

This volunteer team brings the tournament together slowly over many months and being involved in such a team gives me immense pride and satisfaction. I would like to thank Pauline Gandais, who has taken much of the heavy load when it comes to admin and communication with schools. If you see her across the weekend, please take a moment to give her your thanks. I have spoken to many students who leave school and they remember many things from school life but the BSME games always stand out as one of their favourite memories.

Many of them still wear their BSME uniforms to university lectures and competitions. Hosting schools from across the network is our absolute pleasure at BSAK and we hope you all have a wonderful weekend. One final reminder to students competing is to play hard, compete fiercely but remember to take time out to meet new people and be humble in defeat as well as victory.

It is wonderful to welcome so many talented Sportsmen and Sportswomen to the BSME Under 19 Games. The last one was held in Muscat prior to the pandemic, so to see these Games relaunched is just brilliant. I know that each fixture will be contested until the very last seconds, but when that final whistle sounds, competitors will shake hands, hug and create friendships that go well beyond the competitive sports arena. This is a huge part of the BSME games.

As young adults competing in such an event, make sure you give your very best both on and off the pitch, court or track. Make sure you acknowledge the officials who help ensure the matches run effectively, thank your parents for their continual support and thank your coaches for the hundreds of hours they give both at training and behind the scenes to ensure you are fully prepared.

Have a wonderful BSME Tournament and good luck to all involved.