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“Ultimate” was the name of the game, but for all participants and spectators
involved, it was mostly explosive fun they were after - and they all got more
than what they bargained for at this year’s Ultimate Team Republic Challenge
2007, held on 30 November at Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) Sports Complex.
Conceptualized as a race against time, teams had two full hours to engage in a
manic rush around the sports complex to notch as many points as possible from
various challenge stations. These challenge stations were all masterminded by
Team Republic’s very own Challenge Masters from the Sports IGs, Adventure IGs
and Adventure Learning Centre.
The Challenge was on at the South Agora from 6pm, as the teams of Contenders
dashed towards the swimming complex in order to obtain their Challenge
Card to begin the race. Almost every sport from Team Republic was represented in
this event, from the water sports of Wakeboarding, Kayaking, Diving and Life
Saving, to indoor sports such as Floorball, Badminton, Foosball, Judo and
Aikido. Additionally, the brawns of Dragonboating were well matched with the brains
element of Trekking and Intellectual Games. There was certainly much action and
excitement for all participants.
In fact, the success of the inaugural event in 2006 saw RP graduates returning
to re-visit fond memories of their student life in RP. For James Wong, former
President of the RP Sports Club, who was recently honoured with the Golden
Bayonet Award in National Service, his motivation to join the Ultimate Team
Republic Challenge was to re-live his days as an RP student. Forging a
partnership with fellow RP alumni Li Yijun and Office of Student and Graduate
Affairs (OSG) officers Janelle Koh and Benjamin Seow as Team RP Pioneros, the
highlight for him was the adrenaline rush of dashing from one station to
another. James went on to share how different RP is now. With the expansion of
the RP population, he observed that RP is producing more talents in the sports sector
which is a testimony of RP’s strategic planning in the pursuit of sports
excellence. James is not the only proud Republican around, as fellow graduate,
Wu Yan Zi, enthused at how teams are more bonded today. She enjoyed
participating in the event which presented an opportunity for old friends to
gather and have some fun together again in RP.
Every contender had their personal moment of highlights. The main highlight
certainly brought everyone to their knees as Contenders and Challenge Masters
alike were entertained to the first ever Sports Officers’ swim-off. It sure was
an entertaining sight as OSG sports officers Benjamin Seow, Alexander Sarsito,
Lim Kien Mau, Gary Su and Huahad Mahfudzh took to the pool and rallied everyone to
vote for them to win this swim-off with a difference. This swim-off aimed to
raise funds for sports service learning projects to be carried out in Cambodia
in 2008 – hence, it was more than entertainment which the officers gamely
provided, as they also helped to rally donations from everyone to contribute
funds for a good cause.
The Ultimate Team Republic Challenge 2007 certainly showcased a vibrant sports
community in RP, with IGs, staff and students coming together to enjoy an
ultimate evening of fun and excitement, while they forged moments of
togetherness as one Team Republic. The event also saw teams donning creative
attire for their battle outfit, where Contenders took much effort to dress up
for the Challenge.
The Ultimate Champion category was eventually clinched by the team combination
of members from Dragonboat IG and the IG’s advisor, Benjamin Chow (OCC).
However, the ultimate winners were actually everyone who was present that day,
from Challenge Masters to Contenders, as everyone took home yet another priceless
asset of time spent at the Home of the Republic.
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