 |
An audience looks on
admiringly as baking competitors showcase their confections |
On
September 6th 2008, hundreds of youth, parents, and children turned
out to participate in the Contigo Challenge despite moving much of
the
event indoors due to bad weather. The event was a smorgasbord of
fun. Numerous competitions pitted eager contestants against one
another
to test top culinary expertise, physical prowess, gladiatorial talent,
and stomach capacity, while activities abounded everywhere for families.
It
was a cold, windy, and wet day. But people eagerly flowed through
the doors of the University of Western Sydney Sports Centre during
the entire event. People lined up everywhere for a number of simultaneous
indoor events, including facepainting, gladiator contests, sumo-suit
wrestling, and iron-man obstacle course, “stuff ya face,” “dizzy football,”
basketball shootouts, culinary competitions, and an indoor mechanical
surfboard.
The weather
was also not a deterrent for the many others that flowed right back
outside to catch flying balls of paint and exploding bubbles in the
rain.
 |
Children go wild at
the "stuff your face" competition |
Indoors,
the baking completion cup went to 21 year old Demiana Tanious,
who was represented by her 15 year old brother Timmy. Her exquisite
strawberry, cream and sponge masterpiece pleased the judges and
the crowd, but it was a tough competition among many masterpieces.
Children
especially rushed to the Challenge itself, a gladiator contest with
an “Eliminator” and “Iron Man” obstacle course. The event pitted teams
elected from churches from all around the greater Sydney area. Crowds
gathered to cheer the teams on as the tension built, bursting into
a smashing win by the St. Abraam Church Team, who walked away with
the Contigo Challenge Cup. The St. Abanoub Team were runners up in
the event.
Many
who came demanded that the event return next year, and all said that
they had tremendous fun with their families.
In
the midst of the fun, the event made a big difference for disadvantaged
children in Egypt. 15 children gained sponsors as a result of the
day, and contributions totaling nearly $3,500 were collected for the
work in Egypt.
Congratulations
to the 60 volunteers who made the event such a success. Your efforts
will touch the lives of many children.
If you missed
the event, stay tuned for next year’s events and in the
meanwhile, contact the Australia office to see how
you can get involved
in the work of Coptic Orphans Australia.
