The Eruditus Clasis ’21 Final Year Brethren (FYB) of the Association of Education and English Students, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), successfully hosted its maiden Inter-House Sports event on Friday, January 29, 2025, at the Main Bowl, fostering an atmosphere of excitement and healthy competition among students.
This sporting occasion, marking the first official FYB event of the year, involved four houses – Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green, all competing across a variety of athletic and novelty games.
Activities included a march past, 100m races (for males and females), 200m races (for males and females), 400m races (for males and females), an egg race, needle and thread, filling the basket, filling the bottle, and a balloon burst.
From the opening march past, where each house showcased creativity, coordination, and colour, right through to the final track events, the competition remained fierce and entertaining, drawing cheers from both participants and spectators.
At the conclusion, Red House emerged as the overall winner with a total of 72 points, claiming the championship. Yellow House closely followed with 68 points, while Blue House secured third place with 58 points. Green House finished fourth with 44 points, rounding off a highly competitive event.
Speaking with the FYB Committee Chairperson, Ojo Naimot Olajumoke, she explained that the idea of inter-house sports had long been a shared aspiration for the class.
‘We have always wanted to hold inter-house sports since Part 2. During one of the FYB Committee meetings, we decided to make it our first official FYB event, to bring our classmates together and enable us to compete in a friendly manner,’ she said.
Regarding students’ participation and enthusiasm, she observed that the turnout and level of engagement mirrored the unity within the class and justified the efforts invested in organising the event.
Reflecting on leadership lessons gained from organising the sports, the chairperson stressed the importance of teamwork and respect. ‘One major lesson for me is that, as a leader, you need to know how to delegate responsibilities and identify those capable of performing well before assigning tasks. Delegation made the planning smoother. I also learned that leadership requires respect, being receptive to opinions, learning from others, and not being overly rigid,’ she added.
Participants also voiced their experiences. Oyadeyi Ayomide, a member of Blue House, said her motivation to participate stemmed from the collective energy of her coursemates.
‘Seeing my fellow coursemates in “sport spirit” encouraged me. Everyone was prepared and eager for the various activities, from march past to track events,’ she said.
She further stated that the event exceeded expectations. ‘Despite the challenges faced during planning, the committee pulled it off successfully. I also discovered talents in some people I hadn’t realised were interested in sports, as they displayed their athletic prowess in events like in the 100m, 200m, and 400m races,’ Ayomide remarked.
Asked about unforgettable moments, she highlighted the march past and the determination shown by participants who persevered through fatigue to complete their races.
A member of the winning Red House, Joy Fabiyi, expressed pride in representing her house. ‘It means showing your strength, making your house proud, and having fun while doing so,’ she said.
Joy also shared her excitement about her performance, noting that sports had imparted valuable life lessons. ‘Sports taught me to believe in myself and fostered unity among us as students. I engaged with people I had never spoken to before because of this event,’ she explained.
On the victory, she added enthusiastically: ‘I feel joyful, proud, and so excited. I feel like a champion.’
Speaking on her experience at the event, Kikidaope Segun Okeowo, a member of the Yellow House, described representing this house as a deeply motivating responsibility.
According to her, wearing the colours of her house made her feel like an integral part of the competition, knowing that her performance contributed directly to the overall success of her team.
‘It felt like my house was depending on me, and letting them down was not an option,’ She said, adding that the sense of responsibility pushed her to remain active and committed in every game and competition she participated in.
Okeowo also noted that the cheers and support from fellow house members had a significant positive impact on her performance.
Their applause, encouragement, and cheers made me feel alive. It motivated me to put in extra effort so as not to disappoint them,’ She explained.
Reflecting on the lessons learned, she stated that sports had taught her the importance of teamwork, encouragement and collective responsibility, emphasising how support from others can inspire individuals to perform beyond their limits.