Gino Ndiko, Grade 12
UWCEA Arusha Campus
In UWC, there are several activities to take part in after school. I was able to participate in a number of these extracurricular activities such as cooking, sewing, and football among others. Despite engaging in all of these, football has impacted me the most. Before I joined the school, I had never had an interest to play the sport, despite the fact that I love watching it on television. Being shy and regularly keeping to myself, I was invited by one of my schoolmates to play football during orientation week. Since I was working on the assumption that everybody who had gone to play that evening was skilled, I did not want to embarrass myself in front of my new classmates. Little did I know that everyone was just there to have fun, regardless of their skills. It was an enjoyable day for each one of us, and a wonderful opportunity to interact with all these new people in a much calmer setting.
About two weeks into school, we got the opportunity to sign up for co-curricular activities officially. I was so eager to start football that it was the first activity I signed up for. On the first day of training, I was very excited yet nervous because most of the girls had had experience. In addition to that, I was not as fit as most of them. I was often exhausted after the warm-up activities. Nevertheless, I was determined to become better and more confident. Within a couple of weeks of training, I was able to raise my fitness level and improve my skills with the help of one of the senior players. I intend to continue with the sport even in my final year at UWC and take part in more games. I was in awe of how good the senior players were and strive to be as good as them one day.
When we had games, I got fewer minutes than I expected on the pitch, but I was always glad to still be able to play for the school. I remember the time I assisted the winning goal at one of these games. I will never forget the feeling that I got as the crowd erupted into cheers and ecstasy. That was the day I realised that I would do anything to get more time during the games. The football team has become like a family to me as we rejoice in every win and look back at every defeat. I am extremely grateful for joining this sport because I get to experience the joys of being part of a time.
Image Courtesy: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-girls-playing-soccer-little-girls-play-football-on-the-playing-field-99532983.html
About two weeks into school, we got the opportunity to sign up for co-curricular activities officially. I was so eager to start football that it was the first activity I signed up for. On the first day of training, I was very excited yet nervous because most of the girls had had experience. In addition to that, I was not as fit as most of them. I was often exhausted after the warm-up activities. Nevertheless, I was determined to become better and more confident. Within a couple of weeks of training, I was able to raise my fitness level and improve my skills with the help of one of the senior players. I intend to continue with the sport even in my final year at UWC and take part in more games. I was in awe of how good the senior players were and strive to be as good as them one day.
When we had games, I got fewer minutes than I expected on the pitch, but I was always glad to still be able to play for the school. I remember the time I assisted the winning goal at one of these games. I will never forget the feeling that I got as the crowd erupted into cheers and ecstasy. That was the day I realised that I would do anything to get more time during the games. The football team has become like a family to me as we rejoice in every win and look back at every defeat. I am extremely grateful for joining this sport because I get to experience the joys of being part of a time.
Image Courtesy: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-girls-playing-soccer-little-girls-play-football-on-the-playing-field-99532983.html
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