“Ladies and gentlemen, we have five minutes more to round up with the tea break. We are supposed to leave here in the next two hours. The weather may not be friendly after the next two hours.”
While they were having their tea, the officials from the Sports Council were already mounting the Table Tennis board. They had chosen the position based on the movement of the sun. After a few minutes, they were done and waited for the game to begin. Meanwhile, Edwin and Tom began by welcoming everyone back to the second segment of the occasion after the tea break. The Police Band that had paused. From the look of things, everyone seemed to be in a sports mood.
“Thank you all for taking your breakfast like the soldiers that you are. This is the second segment of today's event. Without taking your time, we are inviting the members of the Sports Council to the oaths of allegiance.”
Then, the officials from the National Council of Youths and Sports filed out. There were about thirty-six of them, and were dressed in the same sports attire like everyone. They have athletic looks, and one would not really ascertain their ages. The fact was that they looked matured and experienced in the trade. They had green color bands on their arms to distinguish them from all the players. When they got to the podium, they turned and faced the audience.
“Thank you all for coming. We are glad to have you. Without wasting time, I would like to invite the Chief Justice of the federation to administer the oath of allegiance to the officials. My Lord, you have the floor.”
“Thank you, MC. Your Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Dr. Festus Ancient GCFR, GCON. Kindly permit me. I will stand on the already existing protocols, and go straight to administer the oath.”
Then, he turned and said to the referees.
“You will firstly take the pledge before the oath. When you say 'I', you say your full name as you repeat after me.”
“I--------- pledge my allegiance to the Principles of True Sport. I will endeavor to maintain excellency, stay sound in mind, body and spirit, and be entertained. So help me, God.”
“Now the oath. Say after me.”
“For all the officials that are part of the One-Day Tournament organized by the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group. I --------do solemnly declare that I will officiate in a way that is honorably consonant with the Spirit of True Sports, so help me God.”
“Thank you.”
He handed over the microphone to Tom and exited the stage.
“Can we appreciate the Chief Justice of the Federation?”
(Clap) (Clap)
“Now, I will hand the microphone over to the officials of the National Council of Youths and Sports to carry on with the sports activities.”
He handed the microphone to the officials. Just then, Edwin got an SMS from Dora again, and he read through.
“Do you want your meal served at the podium, or do you wish to come over to the stand?”
Edwin was delighted, and he quickly responded.
“We are coming over, Lady D.”
He quickly drew Tom's attention to the message, and they hurriedly left for the meal stand. Meanwhile, they discussed as they walked on.
“That's a good one. You know, MCs are always forgotten at events. I'm surprised with the invitation,” Tom pointed out.
“It depends on the Caterer.”
“You're right.”
While they were eating, the team leader of the officials from the National Council of Youths and Sports began to issue the modalities of the game. They began by recognizing the President.
“Your Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Festus Ancient GCFR, GCON. I would like to stand on the existing protocols. We have five clubs for this tournament. We are starting with two players from each team. Two clubs will play with each other. The club with the most lost points after ten minutes, loses to the other club. Then, the team leaves the table for another team to come in. I will drop five ballot papers. It is numbered from numbers one to five. You will be featured according to the number that you picked. Now let's go.”
He dropped the five folded papers on the table. Each club picked the papers one after the other. The IBB International Golf and Country Club picked number one.
The Palace Garden Club picked number two. The Striit Kea Empire picked number three. The Ikoyi Club picked number four, and the Galaxy Sports Academy picked number five.
Now, after the picking of the papers, the first two clubs who picked numbers one and two began to play and the members of the two teams began to cheer their representatives. The President, who was a member of the IBB International Golf and Country Club was watching with keen interest as well as other members. At the end of ten minutes, the IBB International Golf and Country Club defeated the Palace Garden Club. Then, the referee announced.
“IBB International Golf and Country Club IN, Palace Garden Club OUT.”
The Police Band helped the cheering group with a victory song, while the referee continued.
“The next team is number three, the Striit Kea Empire.”
Now, Victor appointed the less skilled players. The fact remained that the members of the IBB Club were successful men in the society. They looked healthy and intimidating, but 'sports is sports' – it only responds to skills and abilities and not wealth and looks. In less than ten minutes, the IBB International Golf and Country Club was out. The referee announced.
“IBB International Golf and Country Club OUT, Striit Kea Empire IN.”
They could not believe it. Although, they attributed their loss to the fact that the set was tired. Having played with the Palace Garden Club. Then, the referee announced the next team.
“The next team is team number four. The Ikoyi Club.”
The team jumped out with all boldness and assurance that defeating the Striit Kea Empire would be a walk in the park. Soon, the game began. Victor retained the first two team members because he knew the extent they could go. At the end of the ten minutes, the Ikoyi Club was out. The referee made the same announcement.
“Ikoyi Club OUT, the Striit Kea Empire IN.”
The team from Striit Kea Empire was very timid so, they could not cheer their representatives up like other team members. They were afraid of offending anyone, but the contingents and students from the rural areas, cheered them up. Now, Victor had to change the two representatives. He asked the two boys who had played with two teams to step aside, while two new team members stepped forward. Then, the referee continued,
“The next team is team number five, the Galaxy Sports Academy.”
As the game began. It was easy to detect that it was not going to be a simple one. The two teams played gallantly, and it was difficult to ascertain who would be out or who would be in. At exactly nine minutes, fifty-six seconds, the Galaxy Sports Academy defeated the Striit Kea Empire.
“The Galaxy Sports Academy IN, Striit Kea Empire OUT.”
The Praise Singers of the Striit Kea Empire did not give up because they had confidence in them.
“The next team is team number one. The IBB International Golf and Country Club.”
The Galaxy Sports Academy quickly sent in two new reps, but they did not achieve the desired result. They were knocked out within six minutes. Then, the referee announced the score.
“IBB International Golf and Country Club IN. Galaxy Sports Academy OUT.”
They went through the process two times. Afterward, the referee blew the final whistle, and there was cheering and jubilation from the two leading teams. Subsequently, the referee announced the overall result was as followed: