Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Today was the prize giving ceremony at CCK stadium. I have been nervous and excited the whole day(from the moment I woke up until I board the bus) for this one moment of pride.

We sat in a single file on the volleyball court in the stadium, alongside other winners of other divisions. Before we alighted from the bus I had made sure that my team was looking their best. I checked the length of their sock (no ankle socks length allowed), made sure they had their nametags, and that their hair was neatly tied up with a black rubberband. I had even decided to bar any player from going up to receive their trophy if they don’t fulfil the above requirements, including me. Today was our big day! I want others to always remember us as the disciplined team (like the St. Hildas boys team).

When they called on our school’s name I was so proud! With confident strides I led the team to receive what we had worked so hard for: the silver medal. Or in this year’s case, trophy lah. I’ve been practicing a firm handshake and a genuine sincere smile with everybody the entire day. So I firmly gripped the principal(of whatever school it is)’s hands and just couldn’t shut my mouth with all that smiling. I was smiling my head off in that 3 minutes upstage, and it wasn’t forced! It was from the heart. Such was the extent of my joy and pride.

Seriously, I’m really very proud of my whole team… We’ve ventured far beyond what we could ever imagine! It was so different from last year! Last year after every match we always left the court with a heavy heart and the question that keeps looming up and screaming at us was: why are we always losing? But this year, I have yet the chance to ask myself, or the team, this. And I hope I never have to.

This prize presentation may mark the end of the zonal games for us, but it is only the beginning. =D

writing at 12:08 AM

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