Spree 2010- a lookback

“Spree? Lite, man. It’s just a sports fest.”

This was the general sentiment surrounding the sport fest of Bits Pilani Goa Campus. But, then spree happened. In its wake it left people screaming for more- more action, more exhilaration, more excitement and everything else that no other event can give. It also gave everybody a different perception towards what, not just spree, but ‘sport’ was all about.

The four days dedicated to Spree, 4^th-8^th march, were a highly unusual, though not unanticipated, break for every bitsian- exams were forgotten, submission deadlines were ignored and a highly charged atmosphere engulfed the campus. The collective zeal snatched everybody away and made diehard fans out of the most dormant and reticent of people. The Student’s Activity Centre, popularly called the SAC, the epicenter of all the activity and the action, saw roaring crowds cheering for their respective teams. The exemplary levels of sport on display could not be missed.

Spree kicked off in magnanimous style with African Acrobats literally holding the auditorium, bated to its breath, in the grand inaugural. A standing ovation was all but obvious. The next day,ShadabJakati of the Chennai Super Kings cut the ribbon for Spree Cricket. Spree catered to every taste- right from the chess to the basketball, from the offbeat futsal to the agility of volleyball.

And oh yes, how can I forget the precise- yet- reckless carrom, the flagship event of spree 2011. Carrom grabbed all spotlights as Spree collaborated with the AICF( All India Carrom Federation) and played hosts to the current World Champions in the inaugural. Biggies like Mr. A Maria Irudayam, Mr. Yogesh Pardeshi, and MS. Ilavazhaki showed everybody the stuff world champions are made of, as they deftly manipulated their strokes and strikers to their will.

Volleyball, Basketball, Cricket and Football proved to be major crowd pullers. India’s religious synonym, Cricket, generated the usual fever with Ranji level sportsmen displaying their finesse and power in a symphony. The high octane action, the turning of tables within moments, upsets, the defensive team trying to switch to offensive mode and the offensive team launching attacks against a determined defence all had their expected effect, and the games were an instant ‘sell- out’. The more ‘mature’ counterparts like chess and carrom had their share of a hugely supportive and appreciative audience. The thoughtful and compelling move or the skillful flick of a wrist to hole a coin received erudite applause. Chess featured globally ranked Grandmasters and the featuring matches were sheer exhibition. Table tennis saw the spectators trying to keep pace with the tiny white ball, as it confounded the players with impossible- looking spins and speeds. Tennis gave the spectators an amazing show of agility and swiftness, as the players returned serves given at the far ends of the courts. Badminton matched Tennis in aggression and excitement. Off-beat events like JK Tyre Go-karting proved a runaway success and underlined our prowess in enhancing the Cool quotient of our fests.

The events were a tremendous strain on not only the contestant’s but also the audience’s energies, so the spree coco had everything planned out to restore them. There was the karaoke night to chill out, which brought out the singer out of everybody who could and some who couldn't, well, sing. :P The DJ night too was a rocking success, with everybody enjoying their headbanging moments lost in the fun crowd.

Finally when spree came to an cherished end, it left in it’s place tangible memories of the spirit of the euphoria. As the cliché goes, it’s the triumph of sport that matters in the end. And triumph it did, without any reasonable objection, as will those present attest- not only did it give players the chance to compete with the best, but also the audience to witness these competitions.

Just to keep these pleasant memories alive, we'll post a series of blogs, dedicated to spree 2011. So keep watching this space!!!