While the eyes of the world may be focused on the football World Cup in Brazil just now, there was another international football tournament taking place in Abu Dhabi last month. Unlike in Brazil, the Czech Republic was represented! The 3rd annual COBIS Games were hosted by the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. COBIS stands for the Council of British International Schools and the Prague British School (PBS) is an Accredited Member of the organisation. As well as being fully accredited, PBS is an extremely active member of the association. In 2012 PBS hosted the inaugural COBIS games in Prague, when 15 schools brought teams of 9 – 11 year old children to compete in swimming, athletics and football.
The games have gone from strength to strength and this year’s event was attended by international schools from Greece, the Netherlands, Egypt, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Luxemburg, Romania, UAE, Switzerland and, of course, the Czech Republic. Athletics has been replaced by basketball, but the format remains the same as that established by PBS in 2012. Children from Years 5 and 6 compete against each other over three days, one day for each sport. Each sport has a champion and then there is an overall winner of the games at the end of day 3.
The standard of the sporting talent on show was incredible and the PBS team did well in both the swimming pool and on the basketball court. However PBS always knew that the best chance of a medal was on the football pitch. Team PBS did not disappoint and came up against the fast and unbeaten team from St Saviours School in Nigeria in the final. PBS won the final 3-0 and lifted the football trophy for the second time in three years.
The COBIS Games are an excellent opportunity for students from COBIS schools across the world to compete with each other in a variety of sporting disciplines. The Games are also designed to allow students to make new friends and to widen their cultural experiences. Team PBS came travelled home on 2 flights, carrying their trophy through 3 airports with huge smiles on their faces. There is no doubt that it is an experience they will never forget!
PBS contact:
Fraser Litster
+420 731 603 503
[email protected]
