Tie your shoelaces tight, because we’re about to sprint across the field of an incredible event - something everyone looks forward to each year, prepares for with excitement, and dives into wholeheartedly: Sports Day in KDI School of Public Policy and Management! 

If you think the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest is the most vibrant spectacle nature has to offer, think again – KDI School’s unique Sports Day is just as colorful in its own way! Every year, it bursts with new energy and spirit, and this year was no exception. We were once again given the chance to take part in the most exciting competitions of the year!

Well, it’s no easy task to capture all the magic of this day in words, but let’s give it a try! Four unstoppable teams emerged onto the KDI football field, ready for action. As the atmosphere of friendly yet fierce competition began to heat up, anyone passing by could immediately sense one thing - on this day, every participant was ready to give it their all and fight for their team’s victory. 

Let’s take a look at the lineup of competitions prepared for us this year. Of course, there was the classic run-like-there’s-no-tomorrow racing and tug-of-war - as if 50% of our final grade depended on it - but no one skips the warm-up! Big thanks to our students Simasiku Mostert (MDP, 2026) and Ndum Charis Anjeck (MDP, 2025) for leading such an engaging and lively start to the day. And of course, standing guard over our well-being and health - while also making sure we didn’t lose any limbs during the competitions - was our beloved Nurse Kim!

Even though the MCs kept reminding us in perfect unison that there were no winners and that we were all champions - well, how could anyone resist the temptation to take first place? 

The most unforgettable moment had to be the OX Quiz. During one of the questions, Alinazarova Farangiz (MDP, 2025) from Uzbekistan confidently stood her ground as the only one remaining on the X side, securing a truly effortless victory for her team. It was an incredible sight, and everyone walked away remembering one simple truth: confidence and courage are the keys to success! 

By the second half of the day, we moved on to more strategic games - one of the highlights being soccer. And don’t think for a second that we were just casually passing the ball around! We had a real commentator, Dee Johnson Henry (MPM, 2026), and a referee, Beckly Bradley Ndibnu (MPP, 2025) - yes, that is right! Nguyen Quoc Dung (MPP, 2026) from Vietnam was truly  a star of the soccer game! Here is what he shares about Sports Day himself:

‘My most memorable moment was when I scored the goal in the football match versus Team Red. After scoring, I turned around and saw all of my team members were celebrating by waving the soccer pinnies, seeming like they were establishing an Orange Festival in the soccer field.” 

The Orange Whirlwind

‘For me Sports Day was the epitome of a merry heart being good like medicine. I was ill just two days before (cheers to Nurse Kim for coming to the rescue with the meds) and was worried that I wouldn’t be able to attend, especially given the cold wet weather conditions on Sports Day. But the energy of community and camaraderie was just the dose of vitamin C that I needed!!!’ - Stephenson Dionne Mc Nicol (MIPD, 2026). 

“The entire day was memorable, honestly. It was a proper refresh — all the exhaustion built up over the semesters just melted away. The engagement, the energy, and especially the team spirit across all the different color teams made it something really special!” – Amjad Muhammad Tanveer (MDP, 2026).

And just like that, the scene burst into yellow as the Yellow Team celebrated their victory! Congratulations to every team - your teamwork, strategy, and, most importantly, the joy you brought to the field made it an absolute pleasure to watch! 

And now, the headline of the day - we all got brand-new hoodies! At the end of the award ceremony, every participant received the 2026 edition of the KDI School hoodie. And let me tell you – they are absolutely impossible to take your eyes off! Now the city of Sejong is filled with us, proudly showing them off, and we’re completely refusing to take them off anytime soon! Luckily, spring is on our side - the perfect season for a hoodie.