Sports Day at Ascend is always a culmination of competition, sportsmanship, and raucous cheer, but this year was truly something different to behold. It was like watching history being written, as this year’s house leadership truly redefined the atmosphere of Sports Day.
Bright and early at Somiaya ground, the faint echoes of students arriving at the venue soon became full-blown chaos. Well separated into their house bleachers, the House Captains and Vice Captains did much differently this year to ensure organisation and spirit. Unlike last year, all house stands were well decorated with props like sunglasses, banners, and hats, being passed around in each of the house colors. Students were spotted sporting the brand new house merchandise introduced by the student council just a few weeks ago to commemorate the day. We also saw students in costume, with Kabir Kamra as the iconic Blue Shark once again, and a handmade eagle costume by Sumer Mehta of Yellow House. The effort put into house spirit this year was truly indescribable, as the competition began with chant wars between houses in adjacent bleachers, to see who would produce the loudest sound. The Red house was particularly spirited in the morning, and their leaders were found wearing horns to represent their mascot, the Bull.
Another important thing done differently and efficiently this year was the day’s actual organisation. All students remained in their house bleachers unless they had an event, which was a great system, because it prevented the chaos of students all over the place. It also helped build an atmosphere because all students were already in their house groups, separated, and so there was no mingling and more focus on spirit. As the events began, they were divided into blocks, with each group of events containing certain students from every age category. House captains were able to send all students from one block to the marshalling area at once, and then, once the events had ended, were sent back to the bleachers until the next block.
In terms of cheers and spirit, each house tried to outperform the other, forcing an intense rivalry in the bleachers, with musical instruments like drums and even the alto saxophone to support their house. While medals were announced, the Green house created chants for each person receiving an award, celebrating the athletes that won their spot on the podium. Yellow House decorated their space incredibly with numerous posters and yellow tinsel all over the place. Red House brought smaller props like hats and devil horns to distribute to all the students. Blue House created its own flag, draping it across a senses board as though it engulfed the entire area. While the stands roared with colour, chants, rivalry and spirit, the true test of the day came on the track itself. After a lot of back and forth, students were placed into categories based on their grade: grades 6-7, 8-9 and 10-12 competed amongst each other in a wide array of events. Ranging from egg and spoon to an 800 metre sprint, athletes participated in track events and field events across the day. Although the 4x400m relay was initially planned, it was later cancelled due to extreme heat, the high energy demands of the event, and participant fatigue.
An important change this year was to the points system. Through previous years, points were only awarded to podium finishers. However, this year, points were awarded regardless of the position. This encouraged participation, and made every race run worthwhile for both the individual and the house. Teamwork was a key part of the 2026 sports day, as team events held a higher value as compared to individual events, which showed that the true spirit of sports day lay in the collective effort and co-ordination amongst team members.
The race to victory was much closer this year, as the Blue and Green houses were separated by 2 points heading into the final rounds. The only relay left was the senior boys 4x100m relay, and 2 tug of war events. Both Blue and Green thought this relay was the deciding factor, and winning this relay would ultimately lead to a victory for sports day. As the relay started, Green took a commanding lead. They were able to maintain the lead and ultimately clinch first place, followed by Yellow and then Blue. However, shortly after the relays ended, an announcement was made that Blue led by 3 points, rather than what Green anticipated. This was primarily due to the Blue house’s success in the preceding relays. However, a 3 point difference was hardly anything to write home about. In order to confirm their victory, the Blue house would need a much larger lead. After all, Yellow house was not far behind, and after being favourites for the most house spirit could make a come-back. So began the final stretch.
Ultimately, the tug-of-war and races between teachers and parents would be the deciding factor. Blue needed to do better than Green in order to win. First, the junior tug-of-war between Blue and Green. Within moments, Blue house secured their spot in the final. A little while later, they were defeated by the Yellow house, and Green were defeated by Red. This was great news for the Blue house, as Green was their only competition at the moment. Next, the senior tug of war commenced, with Yellow showcasing a dominating victory over Red. The next match between Green and Blue would prove to be crucial. As the event started, Blue immediately showed the upperhand, winning the battle in seconds. This left Green with little hope for a victory, and Blue had a great chance of winning sports day for the second year in a row. Ultimately, similar to the junior final, Yellow emerged victorious.
After these events, the students lined up on the track, eagerly waiting for the final decision. Red came in fourth place, and unexpectedly, Green in third. This left the Yellow and the Blue houses competing for the first position. After a lot of hard work, determination and team work, Blue house were crowned champions for the second time. Ultimately, the Yellow Houses’ comeback into second place was fueled by their determined spirits, and their victories in tug-of-war.
In true sports day fashion the final decision was ambiguous until the very end, with each house neck and neck competing for the coveted trophy. Can Blue House win the house cup 2 years in a row? Can another house overthrow them and take the throne? All we can do is wait, to come back stronger, smarter and more determined to take victory in our own hands.
