Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania hosts Sports Day
On 16 April, students, parents and teachers across the Aga Khan Education Service (AKES), Tanzania participated in fun activities during the annual Sports Day.
This year's event was a vibrant celebration of athleticism, teamwork and community spirit as students from the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam and the Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School, Dar es Salaam enthusiastically participated in a diverse range of activities. The day fostered resilience and camaraderie among students, giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills and determination, along with teaching them the importance of participation and sportsmanship.
The Director of Sports for the Ministry for Culture, Arts and Sports in Tanzania and former captain of the Tanzania Football National Team, Mr Ally Mayay Tembele graced Sports Day, watching the event unfold alongside family members and other guests.
During the event, the students and staff were divided into four teams or “Houses” – Ruvuma, Rufiji, Kagera and Pangani for the secondary school, with Pangani emerging as the overall winner. The winning House is declared by totalling the points earned across all ball games and track events. For nursery and primary school, the Houses were Kifaru, Simba, Tembo and Twiga, with all students participating enthusiastically in various activities, including indoor and outdoor games. The event aimed to provide every student with the opportunity to showcase their individual skills and have fun.
“I felt that Sports Day was thrilling, competitive and overall enjoyable,” said Form 3 student Khattab Mohamed. "Winning seven medals and a trophy filled me with a sense of pride, and I am incredibly proud of my achievements. Sports Day contributes to the development of stamina and strength."
Students participated in competitive and non-competitive friendly games, including football, basketball, throwball, target shooting, hopscotch, track events spanning distances from 100 metres to 800 metres, exhilarating relays and fun obstacle races. This year, a new dimension was added, with competitions in strength and endurance. Boys competed in push-up contests, while girls challenged themselves in a planking contest, demonstrating their physical prowess and resilience.
"Sports Day was so amazing, interesting and unique," said Grade 6 student Patricia Mkony. "I liked the way it was organised. It was also a good experience having a Sports Day with the secondary students and teachers. Although we were younger than the secondary students, we enjoyed it and even did well; I won a medal."
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of AKES, Tanzania's dedicated staff and parent volunteers. Their enthusiasm and commitment helped make the day a resounding success, and the schools are incredibly grateful for their contributions.
Sports Day is a cornerstone of the Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania’s commitment to providing a holistic education, emphasising the importance of physical activity in fostering overall well-being. There was something for everyone to enjoy, and the smiles on the students’ faces and the laughter that filled the air were a true testament to the joy they experienced.
Photos (top to bottom):
- AKMSS, Dar es Salaam students racing.
- AKNPS, Dar es Salaam students participating in an obstacle race.
- The winner, second place and third place medal ceremony of a race.
- An AKNPS, Dar es Salaam student squeezing the water from a sponge in a race.
