During April 19 to 21 saw three teams from the Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) competed in the South Asia Inter-Schools Association (SAISA) competitions, their last of the 2017/18 school year.

2018 SAISA Track and Field Champs

It was three days of thrilling competition in Amman, Jordan. The 30 Gecko athletes were amazing both on the track and in the field. The team earned 527 points, finishing in first place,120 points ahead of the second-place team to win the back to back title of SAISA champions. Athletes were able to compete in five individual events and two relays and scored points by finishing in the top six in each event. The relays proved to be the usual thrilling highlight of day one and day three. The Geckos stormed round the track finishing with six Golds, three Silver and three Bronze medals. On the final event of the competition the OSC senior boys team achieved a new SAISA record that has stood since 1983. They ran the 4x100m relay in a stunning time of 45.96 seconds. The Geckos represented OSC with pride and determination and were deserved winners in the end.

Results

OSC claimed 13 sixth places; ten fifth places; 16 fourth places; 24 third places and Bronze medals; 30 second places and Silver medals and 39 first places and Gold medals. The 10-12 boys finished first overall and 10-12 combined boys and girls team finished overall first. The OSC 13-14 girls finished first overall while the 13-14 combined boys and girls team also finished overall first. The 15-19 girls and boys finished second overall in their respective categories while the 15-19 combined boys and girls team finished overall first. The OSC entire boys team finished first overall along with the entire girls team, who also finished overall first. By virtue in the final placing, for the second year running, OSC emerged SAISA Track and Field champions.

Girls’ Football

The girls SAISA football tournament was hosted here in Colombo. Games were played at OSC and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka Training Ground in Beddegana. It was the first time in SAISA history that the tournament would include 10 teams from across the region. The Geckos went into the tournament with some confidence after winning the Under-20 TISSL crown, but also knowing that the level of competition would be higher in this competition. They got off to a great start, winning against a tough team from Lahore 2-1. Their second group game was against a physically tough and technically good Dhaka team. Despite losing two quick goals, the Geckos battled throughout but couldn’t find the breakthrough and suffered their first loss, 2-0. Friday, April 20, was the key day for the team and their aspirations in attempting to secure a semi-final spot. They needed victories against both American International School of Chennai and Lincoln School, Kathmandu. Both games were close affairs with OSC coming out 2-1 winners over Chennai and an impressive 1-0 victory over Lincoln School to secure their semifinal place. This led the team to their first semi-final in four years, where they met the free scoring and reigning champions, The American International School of Muscat . The Gecko’s began nervously and seemed to allow the opposition too much time and space to play their attacking football. This led to TAISM opening up a 4-0 lead within ten minutes. The Geckos were resilient and lifted their heads to pull back two goals in return. The Eagles proved too strong and ran out 5-2 winners. This left the OSC Geckos playing for a thirdplace title against a lively Karachi American School. Karachi started strongly and took a 1-0 lead into half time. OSC fought back in the second period to finish normal time tied at 1-1 to take the game into extra time. The home team proved too strong for Karachi with two early goals in the extra period and a late consolation by Karachi found OSC hold onto the third place 3-2.

Boys Basketball

T h e S A I S A B o y s Basketball team had a fun and eventful tournament this year. The weekend of basketball was hosted in Muscat, Oman by TAISM. The competition was tough this year, all SAISA schools sending formidable basketball teams. OSC had the youngest and smallest team in the tournament. That did not deter the OSC boys from challenging every team they played. The boys won their first game against Karachi American School and were within two points of a second victory against a tougherthan- they-looked Murree Christian and International School of Islamabad combined team. They also had fierce battles on the court against American School of Bombay and the hosts, The American International School of Muscat.