Reported by:
Foo Zhing Yee Sr2ScA
20th May 2023, an anticipated day for participants of the Bulan Bahasa 2023 Tapak Gajah Competition. The contest was held at the school’s B1 Carpark and students were settled down according to their classes to embrace the reckoning event.
To be clarified that tapak gajah (elephant’s footprints) is a Malay traditional game which is made of two coconut shells with a small hole each. A long nylon braided rope is passed through the hole and the bottom end is knotted tightly. Players are required to nib the rope with their left and right feet and thumbs while standing on top of the shells. They are then told to walk towards the finish line without getting their feet off the coconut shells.
Preparation for the game
For the Jr2s, there are a total of 18 classes in which 6 students represented their class to play in the contest. In each round, 6 classes played the game and the eliminations began sharply at 8 a.m. The starting rival players wore the tapak gajah and strode to their respective teammates at the other end. The tapak gajah changed feet and the second player ran back to the other side. The team players who completed their turns in the fastest time won the game. By 9.00 a.m. the last round for the Jr2 category in selecting the top 3s among the top 6s started followingly. In the end, Jr2M(2) swept the first place with the shortest time record, 1.28 min. Jr2S(1) took second place with their time record, 1.35 min. Jr2S(5) won third place with a time recorded 1.42 min.
As for the Sr3s, there are a total of 10 classes but the competition was still intense too. The contest began at 10.30 a.m. sharply after the recess break for them to replenish their energy and be ready for the race. Participants were triggered with passion as cheers and clamours reverberated throughout the car park, uplifting teammates’ confidence and determination. In the end, Sr3ComB won first place with a time recorded 1.16 min. Sr3ScD, which had a time recorded 1.17.91 min placed second while Sr3ScB took the third place, with only 88 ms behind Sr3ScD, which made it 1.17.03 min.
At the end of the day, the teachers in charge pointed out in saying that it was quite unexpected to find every participant enjoying the event. They were glad that the event went well and truly hope that traditional games such as tapak gajah can too become a trend among students in the future.
Senior 3 group photo