700 Obwalden children give everything for their school

There is sweat, applause and above all a lot of laughter around the school in Jeswell. After a two-year break, the Cantonal School Sports Day is back here again. All fourth and sixth graders from all Obwalden municipalities compete in various sports in great weather. About 700 children run, jump and dance around the large school and sports area in Jeswell. Speakers and music will ensure an extra festive atmosphere throughout the area.

The four-part competition is already in full swing. Classes compete with each other in various disciplines of gymnastics, athletics, fitness, and cross-country. One of the participants is Valentina from Alpenach. The fourth year runs towards the sand puddle, makes a big jump and lands on her butt in the sand. Valentina reveals that the long jump is not her favorite discipline. “I’m looking forward to the sprint,” she says. She thinks Sports Day is great. On the one hand she does not have a school, and on the other hand she loves to play sports. Whether her class wins the class competition or not doesn’t matter to Valentina. “It’s nice that everyone is doing their best.”

The running track is a hundred meters away, on which Valentina will subsequently be able to demonstrate her running skills. Kim and Kylian from Kerns already in the beginning. A wooden flap gives them the start signal and they run. After crossing the finish line, the fourth graders are satisfied with the sprint. “We were fast, even though we were still tired from football yesterday,” Kim says.

Not fast, but it is the catchphrase when throwing the ball from a distance. Olivia from Engelberg knows that, too. She skillfully threw the ball into the distance. But she is somewhat satisfied with the result. “It could have been more than that,” she says, criticizing herself. Olivia is looking forward to the next relay race, which will see the schools compete head-to-head. “I like that it takes the whole team to be good,” she says. If she wants a discipline that isn’t yet there on Sports Day, it’s probably skateboarding. Because as Engelberger, Olivia might have a small advantage over the other Obwaldeners.

The support program provides insight into new sports

On Sports Day, students can also learn about new sports like bubble soccer or swing, or “old sports” like nailing. They can participate between or after their competitions. There are several relaxation areas available for those who prefer to take it easy.

Kerns’ Class 4A group is still competing. They compete together in the throwing system. As a team, they try to throw the ball back and forth over the net as far as possible within five minutes. The group from Kerns manages this with almost no problems. The ball only falls to the ground sometimes. The five boys say it’s no surprise that they have mastered the game. They often played the game in physical education. What worries some members of the group the most is the jump rope that has yet to come. The boys say winning the class competition is definitely possible today. Because at least her group has been doing very well so far.

Lewis and Jeanne of Wellen are not doing as they should. The two sixth-graders are no longer reaching the high jump heights they would have reached in physical education, they said. However, the two believe that Sports Day is a great event. “You can do that,” Lewis says. After the disappointment, the two are now looking forward to a round of bubble soccer.