FESTIVAL OF SPORTS GETS TO BASINGSTOKE UK
One of the major objectives of Rotary Sport is to hold sports festivals in as many towns and countries around the world as is possible. We see such festivals, a gathering of all parts of the community/society to get together, freely play sport, exchange and engage, and encourage well-being amongst one another and inspiring same in the immediate community.
After a hugely successful Sports Festival held in Kigali, Rwanda late in June, it was the turn of Basingstoke, Hampshire in the UK – the official birthplace of Rotary Sport International – on July 12, where we had another hugely successful Family Festival of Sports.
Bringing the whole of the Basingstoke community together in the name of sports, the Festival of Sports was held on the grounds of Cranbourne School, on one of the hottest days so far in the country in 2025.
Luckily, Cranbourne School availed Rotary Sport of the use of the two massive indoor sports halls in the school and they were made to full use by the people who turned up.
The event was flagged off by the combination of the Basingstoke Member of Parliament, Luke Murphy, and the Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane, Cllr Colin Philimore, who both, in separate addresses, expressed their satisfaction that sport is indeed taking a rightful centre stage position in the fabric of community, and acknowledged that the more we did of these, the more aware Basingstoke will be to the needs and benefits of sports on physical and mental wellbeing.
The Mayor and the MP got involved in the sports, as well as the President of Rotary Sport, Dr Tunde Adelakun, who took active part in the football, and the table tennis.
The camaraderie of the family of Rotary that came out in support of the event was apparent, with Rotary Club of Basingstoke, represented by President Tim Jackson, Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane represented by Past President Mike Lakin and some members; as well as Assistant District Governor Richard Spalding, all of whom played active part in the sporting events.
There was basketball, chess and darts, and everyone took full part.
Then there was a sports quiz, which involved every part of the crowd. They were broken up into groups and the quiz was intensely fought, with knowledge of past and present sports, Olympic sports, specific sports were all tested and had to be answered to. After three rounds, the team led by Annol Macdonald-Milner win the grand quiz prize, which was a pair of tickets to watch a home game of Basingstoke Town Football Club, of their choice.
Egypt-based Annol, together with his father Philip, ended up going for the Basingstoke Town v Reading FC preseason friendly match of 26 July.
There was also a raffle, and after distribution of many consolation prizes including softball vouchers from the Basingstoke Sports Centre, t-shirts and bags, the star prize – a couple of tickets to Wembley for the Community Shield match of Liverpool v Crystal Palace – was drawn and won by Irina Rasolonjanahary.
Finally we had an awards ceremony where public-nominated sports persons were given inspiration awards by the Mayor Colin Philimore. They are Tarik Biglic, a coach in Jiu Jitsu, David Graham, secretary of the Basingstoke Chess Club, Billy Upton, captain of Basingstoke Town Football Club; and Jack Miller, Chairman of Basingstoke Town Football Club. Formal presentation of their awards will take place at the Mayor’s Parlour at a later date.