Let’s Play Ball!

Written by: Nadia Lye (CCPE, Yuying Secondary)
Contributed by: Mohammad Shaifudin (GM, Bossaball Singapore)

Event: BossaBall Bonanza @ Yuying Olympic Gala 2008
Date: 4 – 8 August 2008
Venue: Yuying Secondary


Last month marked the 3rd year of Olympic Education Week in Yuying Secondary School.

Preparations for the event started only in mid-May. Why? …because the PE department is short-handed. In spite of that, we unanimously agreed to make this year’s event more refreshing and different from previous years.

‘If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?’- Joe Namath

Thus, began our intense research on an ‘elusive’ new sport that has not been introduced to the school. We were still clueless! Undaunted, we called Bossaball Singapore to gather more information. After much thought, discussions, numerous phone calls, negotiations and meetings, we decided to bring in Bossaball for Yuying’s Olympic Gala.

Weeks before the official opening, a site inspection was conducted by the Bossaball Team and it was decided that the bossaball activities be held in the school hall. Even though the school hall would be perfect for the unpredictable weather, we were worried that the ball would hit and ruin the false-ceiling installed in the school hall. That too, did not stop us from moving forward with our plans!

Ultimately, it boiled down to the event day; the Olympic madness came too soon!

The opening ceremony, held on 4th August, began with a captivating and motivating talk by former Olympian sprinter, Professor C. Kunalan who shared his truly inspirational Olympic journey. Right after that, Bossaball Singapore Team worked their magic. They set up the inflatable court within 2 hours and we were all geared up to start.

The Sepak Takraw C Division boys, student ambassadors for Bossaball Singapore, made their first demonstration to the entire school. It was soon followed by class participation, where they were briefed on how to play the sport and the rules of the game by Bossaball Singapore instructors.

…And The Fun Begins!

We started off with a Bossaball Inter-Class Competition.The students went crazy with excitement!,They tried to find the best players they could in their class so that they could win the match.

The educators didn’t want to miss out on all the excitement too. Teachers who signed up for the sport were scheduled to play on 5th August, with a tryout session followed by a friendly game with Yuying Secondary Alumni. In that same afternoon, invited students and teachers from Bedok View Secondary participated in a bossaball sports clinic.

The day ended with a friendly competition between the teams from Bedok View Secondary School, followed by a prize presentation ceremony. After an intense workout, the students went home feeling exhilarated and satisfied.

Where Sports Meet Music

On the last day of Yuying Olympic Gala, we went to Bishan Park for a Jog-a-thon and yes, we brought Bossaball along with us! The energy level at Bishan Park was higher than it was in school; thanks to the Samba music during the finals, courtesy of the school concert band.

Samba and Bossaball really go well together! We felt the essence of Bossaball - a cross-road where sports meet music!

And that was it.

A whole week of Bossaball in Yuying Secondary. A whole week of mad rushes for the people involved and a whole week of endless fun for the students who could not stop asking for more. Indeed, it was a successful event!

Even the students have become a crazy bunch of Bossaball-ers!