ISSAAA Track & Field Brings Out Best in Student Athletes & Community

It was the biggest community event the ICS campus has seen in years.

Hundreds of student-athletes, families, and friends from around Addis Ababa gathered for the International Schools Sports Association of Addis Ababa (ISSAAA) Track & Field meet October 13-15. The ICS Eagles had home-field advantage, welcoming competitors and fans from six other schools to our campus.

You can view and download a complete photo album here.

The event was a resounding success for the community, and the Eagles team performed well on the city’s biggest stage. Student-athletes from Grades 6 to 12 competed in different age divisions in the classic sprinting, long-distance running, jumping, and throwing events.

Grade 12 Eagles Team Captain Safia H. has been running track for four years, this year competing in the 3,000-meter, 1,500m, 800m, and 4x300m relay. Safia said she was impressed by the team’s efforts, especially following last season when many track and field athletes graduated.

It was an especially meaningful meet for Safia and her Grade 12 teammates, as the cohort has dealt with campus closures due to COVID-19 since they entered high school.

“It felt as though our community was opening up once again to all stakeholders that make it so great,” Safia said. “In all races, including mine, I could hear younger children, teachers, friends, and parents, including those of other schools, cheering us on. This made it feel beyond just a track and field event.”

“Watching the races was just a moment that truly captured how far we've come.”

Grade 11 captain Amir B. was also proud to see his team perform in front of the Addis community. Amir finished in podium positions in all three of his events: triple jump, long jump, and high jump – the last of which was especially exciting, as both athletes in the final cleared personal-best heights in a gymnasium packed with fans.

“I loved seeing everyone supporting and helping each other through the entire track event and just everyone's excitement,” Amir said. “Being back out on the field and being able to host an event like this was truly an amazing experience not only for me but all athletes. I think having the community of ICS and all the other schools really had a positive effect on the team and our performances.”

Congratulations to all of the ICS Eagles Track & Field athletes, as well as the athletes from visiting Addis schools who demonstrated a commitment to good sportsmanship, competition, and perseverance throughout the event.

“It felt great to be back on the track along with my team, the opposing teams, and all of the viewers,” Grade 11 captain Nate D. said. “I had a lot of fun and I hope the rest of my team along with the opposing teams did too”

For more information about the Athletics and Activities Program at ICS, visit our Experience page.