16 May 2025, 09:48Blandine Damtse | Edited by SM CommunicationsGlasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Pathfinders and Adventurers Unite for Spirited Sports Day in Glasgow
Over 160 Pathfinders, Adventurers, and church members from Faifley, Paisley, and Glasgow gathered for a vibrant Sports Day on May 4, promoting unity, physical activity, and spiritual fellowship across congregations.
Excitement echoed across a Glasgow sports complex on May 4 as more than 160 participants gathered for a joint Sports Day hosted by the Faifley, Paisley, and Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist churches. The event brought together Pathfinders, Adventurers, club officers, and families for a full day of team-based athletic competition and fellowship.
Organised under the leadership of Sipho Ncube, the Glasgow Pathfinder director, the event aimed to encourage interaction beyond Sabbath services, while promoting physical activity, community cohesion, and spiritual well-being.
The planning committee—comprised of representatives from the three churches—held regular meetings in the lead-up to the event to coordinate logistics, registration, and scheduling. Upon arrival, participants were assigned to one of four colour-coded teams: Green, Blue, Red, or Yellow, receiving matching wristbands during check-in.
A short orientation at 10 am introduced attendees to the day’s schedule and rules, helping set a tone of unity and enthusiasm. Teams then completed warm-up exercises under the guidance of their leaders before the day’s first event, the 800-meter race, got underway.
Cheers filled the air as the whistle blew and runners launched off the starting line. The track events continued with 400-meter, 200-meter, 100-meter, and relay races, all of which were met with enthusiastic support from spectators.
After a lunch break, the pace shifted to a more relaxed schedule, with participants free to choose from activities such as sack races, egg-and-spoon races, tug-of-war, football, netball, and basketball.
The day concluded around 4 pm with the announcement of team results: Yellow took first place, followed by Blue, Green, and Red. However, organisers emphasised that the true victory lay in participation and teamwork.
“Sports Day was a fantastic event and very well organised,” said Bryan Tsonga, co-director of the Faifley Pathfinder Club. “It provided excellent interaction outside of Sabbath, bringing everyone together, and should be encouraged as it can also serve as a tool for outreach.”
Dominic Ncube, a Junior Counsellor from Glasgow Church who handled the event’s registration and team coordination, reflected on the experience positively. “It was my first time working on a multi-church event, and I’m very satisfied with how it turned out. Although, in the future, earlier registrations would help improve team organisation.”
Taonga Chirwa, a committee member from Paisley Church, described the event as a “blessing,” highlighting its combination of fun, fellowship, and health benefits.
Elder Sipho Ncube, the event organiser, commended the collective effort. “The idea of Sports Day came from a desire to build stronger connections among our clubs and congregations—especially the youth. The turnout, punctuality, and energy exceeded our expectations,” he said. “It genuinely fostered a sense of unity and belonging. Many attendees are already asking when the next one will be. Looking ahead, we hope to include fundraising opportunities for our clubs.”
Over 160 Pathfinders, Adventurers, and church members from Faifley, Paisley, and Glasgow gathered for a vibrant Sports Day on May 4, promoting unity, physical activity, and spiritual fellowship across congregations.
Excitement echoed across a Glasgow sports complex on May 4 as more than 160 participants gathered for a joint Sports Day hosted by the Faifley, Paisley, and Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist churches. The event brought together Pathfinders, Adventurers, club officers, and families for a full day of team-based athletic competition and fellowship.
Organised under the leadership of Sipho Ncube, the Glasgow Pathfinder director, the event aimed to encourage interaction beyond Sabbath services, while promoting physical activity, community cohesion, and spiritual well-being.
The planning committee—comprised of representatives from the three churches—held regular meetings in the lead-up to the event to coordinate logistics, registration, and scheduling. Upon arrival, participants were assigned to one of four colour-coded teams: Green, Blue, Red, or Yellow, receiving matching wristbands during check-in.
A short orientation at 10 am introduced attendees to the day’s schedule and rules, helping set a tone of unity and enthusiasm. Teams then completed warm-up exercises under the guidance of their leaders before the day’s first event, the 800-meter race, got underway.
Cheers filled the air as the whistle blew and runners launched off the starting line. The track events continued with 400-meter, 200-meter, 100-meter, and relay races, all of which were met with enthusiastic support from spectators.
After a lunch break, the pace shifted to a more relaxed schedule, with participants free to choose from activities such as sack races, egg-and-spoon races, tug-of-war, football, netball, and basketball.
The day concluded around 4 pm with the announcement of team results: Yellow took first place, followed by Blue, Green, and Red. However, organisers emphasised that the true victory lay in participation and teamwork.
“Sports Day was a fantastic event and very well organised,” said Bryan Tsonga, co-director of the Faifley Pathfinder Club. “It provided excellent interaction outside of Sabbath, bringing everyone together, and should be encouraged as it can also serve as a tool for outreach.”
Dominic Ncube, a Junior Counsellor from Glasgow Church who handled the event’s registration and team coordination, reflected on the experience positively. “It was my first time working on a multi-church event, and I’m very satisfied with how it turned out. Although, in the future, earlier registrations would help improve team organisation.”
Taonga Chirwa, a committee member from Paisley Church, described the event as a “blessing,” highlighting its combination of fun, fellowship, and health benefits.
Elder Sipho Ncube, the event organiser, commended the collective effort. “The idea of Sports Day came from a desire to build stronger connections among our clubs and congregations—especially the youth. The turnout, punctuality, and energy exceeded our expectations,” he said. “It genuinely fostered a sense of unity and belonging. Many attendees are already asking when the next one will be. Looking ahead, we hope to include fundraising opportunities for our clubs.”
