Saisa Football 2023

This year’s saisa football would be hosted by the American international school of Dhaka where we would experience the scorching heat from the sun above us. 25 signed up but only 12 could travel. The practice sessions started off light where we played against each other so the coaches could see what we knew and what we needed to work on. Because of the pandemic I haven’t really played football seriously in years and started to feel the effects of not playing in a long time. As weeks went by and the practice sessions were getting intense, Ramadan was coming along. I knew fasting while practicing would be tough and the energy for practice would be minimal. I carried on having to deal with headaches and the feeling of sickness but I could not stop there as the tournament was coming up. Teams would be selected and we were set to travel from the 27th of April to the 30th. As soon as we landed and got to the buses the heat paired with the dryness hit the team and we expected the effects it could have on the quality of the game we played.

OSC was set to play in the hardest group stage which was filled with competitive players and teams. Our games did not go too well, creating multiple opportunities but being unable to execute them in front of the goal. The main highlight for me was when I started for the team against the championship-winning team of TAISM. For the first ten minutes, our team excelled by keeping possession and creating opportunities on goal. I played as a left winger for the team and created 2 shots on target for the team. Unfortunately, a mistake would cost us a goal and the whole game as the first goal conceded would put our heads down for the rest of the game. I enjoyed that match because I got to see the potential of our team when we actually collaborated with high spirits. Having made opportunities and resisting their attack for a good chunk of the game made me realize what could have been if our motivation was not degraded by the goals conceded.

Ultimately, even though the team did not live up to the standards we made ourselves and failed to win the tournament, I made new relations with other members of different teams. Spectating and eating together as a part of one big group was what I would look for after a loss or a win. It was a great experience, having to learn the challenges of the game and cherishing the good moments where we spent together as a team. Hopefully, next year if I decide to go play saisa football again, improvements, motivation, participation, and collaboration are traits that will be put into use to win next year’s saisa.

 

Spectating a Group A game alongside the ASB team: