top of page

Fan club

  • Courtsey -Risi by name blog page
  • Jul 10, 2015
  • 6 min read

SAVE THIS DATE: SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2015

At times one has to do the least flattering things to catch you guys attention! And this is how this one goes down: here I am inviting you to The 4th Nigerian School Sports & Family Fun Day (NSSFF) taking place on Saturday 29th August 2015 (Bank Holiday weekend) at Norman Athletics Track, Norman Park, Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9EJ between 11:00 -19:00. It was a bit of a kerfuffle deciding what image to use at top of this post, I could have used the official poster for the event but thought this pic of me and some of 'the girls' at this same event back in 2013 might just be what it takes to grab your attention, unwedge you from your seats and get you to the venue!

"Should in case" you're wondering what's this all about "The Nigerian NSSFF Sports day started in 2012, inspired by the London Olympics games. It is an annual popular event supported by the Community games (Olympic legacy), our own mini Olympics held in the spirit of friendship, solidarity, fairplay and competition" It is a platform for collaboration & networking for 'Old Boys & Old Girls Nigerian Schools through Sports. For the record, I just lifted that from the NSSFF website.

Let me explain in my language, Do you remember Naija Interhouse Sports Day's that we held at our respective secondary schools back in the day? Well now at this Nigerian Schools Sports & Fun Family Day ( NSSFF) we compete as adults, the kids, family, friends get to join in as well and this multiplies the fun factor. First year we attended it poured with rain, but for some strange reason that I cannot explain it took nothing away from the day.

My kids, ever the skeptics, were so not keen that first year we were invited to this NSSFF Sports Day in 2013, on the drive to the venue in Bromley I had all the "eye rolling" accompanied by the "huffing and puffing!" I just ignored them. As we walked into the stadium despite the weather there were people everywhere, all the aunties, uncles, boys and girls in what I will call their 'sports attire'. Aunties in their jogging bottoms, Lycra (cringe), hoodies, trainers, 'face cap' (please why do 'we' use these words to describe a baseball hat??) uncle's have squeezed their 6-pack physiques or pot bellies into their sleeveless vests, with 'short knicker' ( don't ask why this is another fav "terminology"of ours). And of course we have the 'Alan Posers' in their beloved Ralph Lauren polo shirts with the iconic number embossed on the sleeve, don't get me started I refuse to digress on this particular post! Photo3- Egg and Spoon medallists, Bukky, Gabby and Funlola with Fatai Alaka( Event Marshall)-

'Anyways' by now the girls have raised their eyebrows, we have exhibition stands, catering vendors selling their snacks, jollof and things, Football tournment is going on, Naija live band (is there anything like a 'dead' band?, sincere innocent question!!!) playing music under the podium. The event stewards preparing for field and track events. Before I knew it girls have gone off with their cousins and are literally 'working the crowd'. They are chatting away and mingling with young adults of their age, my nephew and niece who were 4 and 6 years old at the time are also in tow. There are shouts of 'my senior' 'my junior' 'school daughter', 'school mother/father' as people start bumping into old school mates they have not seen in years. We have all the main Naija Secondary Alumni 'representing' you know the one's I'm talking about especially the show-offs both the girls and boys! Queen's College, Igbobi College I'm greeting you all (insert straight face smiley) Holy Child 'Old' Girls come and see these 'senior aunties', clad in their leggings, tee shirts and 'face cap' no shaking I tell you. Back then all their swagger was in that their '4-corner cap' just saying not hating!

When the stewards announce that registration for 100m Women track event is about to start, before twinkling of an eye, my cousin is clipping her wig firmly to her head and rolling up her jeans, (yes jeans) she's not come prepared but there's no stopping her. By thunder, fire and force she's participating, her kids are cheering her on "mummy do it, do it, do it"!!! Anyway they 'fire' the gun and mummy takes off and proudly comes 2nd to last. Her words of wisdom to her kids after the race were "it's the participation that counts" they obediently smile sweetly at her. Probably thinking 'Like seriously mum?'

Before I know it my brother has disappeared, next thing I hear his name being called over the public address system for the 100m men track event, I gulp as I think WTF. But wait for this.... he actually came 2nd!! We are such a sporty bunch in our family (Says Risi who came 2nd to last in Women egg and spoon race!)

All the aunties in the house! Women's 100m race

Last year when we attended NSSFF Sports day 2014 we were much more prepared, we went fully armed, we invited as many people as we could and took a picnic along. Those of us uninterested in the sports aspect were there solely for the socials and to mind the coolers of rice jollof, meat pie, puff puff and other 'finger foods' ( yes we really took all that along!) The competitive ones amongst us got signed up for as many events as possible. No age group left out, the toddlers through to the 60 plus. Our older girls however could not find a 4th member to make up team for the 4x 100m relay, so they scouted for and teamed up with a girl named Temi a friend they made at the Sports day and they brought the bacon home!!

Another group of us, set up camp in front of the event DJ, bullying him into playing our favourite tunes!

Summary, it was generally a chilled out day. I cannot really hype up this event enough, not sure whether it's the relaxed set up, varied age range or what. The whole place just buzzes, it's not rowdy or anything after all this a stadium we're talking about. The way it works is we get there find a spot to hang out, and everyone goes off to do their own thing. It's a good opportunity to network as well. There are various exhibition stands, face painting for the young one's, there's something for everyone. It's great summer's family day out. A sister of ours had a baby 4 weeks before the event, on this day in question she refused to be "left at home on the shelf "as she put it, she brought our baby along in his pouch!

Before you know it the day is over, unlike other events where people like to leave early, this is one place where you just want to stay till the very end, there is no posing in the matter, the medals are given out at this time. NSSFF won The Most Outstanding Event of 2014 at the Nigerian Events Awards recently. Norman Athletics Park is easily accessible, all my crew have met up at NSSFF Sport Day, Bromley, Kent in past years from all parts of London and the Home Counties both by public transport and private travel with no hitch.

Oh yeah and the best part for me last year was the closing of the event with a flash mob of all the attendees doing the retro dance routine to Cameo's 1980's 'Candy' (Watch video here) All of us lined up on the track dancing in sequence, coolest thing ever! You should have seen us with our moves like jagger!

So here's the deal; Dokwan of Essex Chapter, Iya Beji, Ma Arinze, Albanese, Tola, Oyinade, FTA, Mulenga, Misy, SOJ, Fine Girl No Pimples, Foluke, Belle Of the Ball, Alabaro, Yemi, Big Sis S, MOE, Hot Love, Mummy Dun, Ms Jackson Ooooo and any other female blog readers, I challenge you to the 100m Women's sprint on the day. I plan to literally wipe the track with you guys, don't underestimate me!!! See you Saturday 29th August 2015.

On that note Thank God it's Friday, have a great weekend.

Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trade mark ~ unknown

Risi By Name at 12:00 am Share About Me

My Photo Risi By Name Hi, the name's Ola also known as 'Risi' when I'm keeping in touch with my roots. Hopefully this blog will do the talking on my behalf and excuse me from rambling on about myself in this intro. I look forward to taking you on this journey with me. View my complete profile


 
 
 

Comments

Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Follow Us
Search By Tags
Archive
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • LinkedIn App Icon
bottom of page