Feature

3rd BDC Pre-World Debating Competitions 07

Muhammad Shafaq Hussain

For the very first time, The Red Brick School at Uttara arranged the biggest inter private English medium school English debate tournament from March 1st to 3rd, 2007. The school was established in 2006. With just one year of experience, the school arranged this debate tournament successfully with 86 debaters and 60 adjudicators. This tournament organized by the BDC is one of the biggest events in the country.

Debating is a process of gaining knowledge and confidence. Although I'm not a member of any debate clubs, I used to participate in my school. March 1st to 3rd 2007 gave me a lot of experience and generated more interest about debates. I was invited as an adjudicator for the 3rd BDC (Bangladesh Debate Council) Pre-world School Debating Championship 07. It was a real challenge for me and I learned a lot of new things. It was a great opportunity to gain experience and meet new people. I really enjoyed those 3 days and they will be etched in my memory forever. I'd like to thank Azim bhai for inviting me and encouraging me to participate in the debating programme. I would also like to thank BDC.

A total of 86 debaters participated from different schools and there were 60 adjudicators, from the following universities. IUB: Azim, Tanvir, Iftekhar, Imran, Nafis, Shafaq, Mehnaz, Zakir, Tawsif and Khaled. IBA: Waheed, Morshed, Sohelee, Mizba, Kibria, Salmina, Ariful, Sadruzzaman and Shakil. DU: Rabiul and Murad. IUT: Saddam, Abir, Kabir, Ashfaque, Tafhim, Sufian, Galib, Mabroor, Imtiaz and Rassel. NSU: Rezwan Kabir, Rafat, Ridwan, Rudra and Ruman. EWU: Stalin, Mahbub, Raquibul, Shamrat, Sabera, Shahnawaz, Ashiq, Farhad, Ophelia, Shareen, Tawsif, Salman, Anika, Samiha, Sinthia, Sohab, Morshed and Sadruzzaman. Observer: 4.

There were also young OC (Organizing Committee) members from The Red Brick School and BIT. They really worked hard from morning to night those 3 days. Now I want to reveal my experience and memories.

Day 1

On the first day, at 1630 hours, the programme started at The Red Brick School's auditorium and it was conducted by Ms. Helen Sharrock (head of the school). Ms. Lubna Choudhury (chairperson of school,) and Ms. Talita Choudhury (director of studies. Debaters and adjudicators were also present at the opening ceremony.

Later, debaters were divided into groups. The notion for 1st round was given and after 30 minutes we (adjudicators) were asked for the adjudication session. Stalin bhai (chair of the Council) gave us a brief on the marking system, the rules, style etc. Though he gave us a clear brief, I was a little nervous. On the first two rounds, I was selected as panelist adjudicator. Later I felt more confident about the adjudication. The 1st day ended with round 2.

Day 2

At 8.30 am we started round 3.

Notions were given to the debaters. I was selected as Chair Adjudicator three times on this day, and was really exited.

I thought that the young debaters were really amazing. In rounds 3, 4 and 5 I saw young bright debaters with their confidence, and it was really hard for me to select the winner. I marked some points on the basis of speech, methods, manners and matters of each debater.

After the lunch break, debaters were ready for the 5th and 6th round. Before announcing the result of 6th round we had a pizza night and free times for all in the school premises. Then the result of teams selected for the quarterfinals was disclosed.

Day 3

This day was really special and something to remember. I was thinking how days pass so fast. The Quarter Final round started at 10:30 a.m. sharp. I was the panelist for a group.

After finishing the quarterfinals, we had lunch and an unplugged concert by Evan's band MAYASTROW and also by Nasaek, Atish, Akib, Mohaiminul and Alfee, students of The Red Brick School.

At 1500 hours the result of the quarterfinal was announced and the notion was given to the winners for the semifinal round.

Semi Final round was over, after which debaters were waiting for their results amidst great enthusiasm, excitement, fear, and anxiety. It was a really tensed time for some. Which team will go to the final round? Everybody was waiting with curiosity.

The semifinalists were really worried. Finally the result was given. The two finalists were Manarat-A as proposition and ISD-A as opposition. Sohara (PM), Mehdi (DPM) and Kaisar (MOG) were from Manarat-A, while Shabab (OPL), Shafqat (MP) and Vrijen (MOP) were from ISD-A. For Finals the notion was “This house believes that we should enclose a ministerial Code of Ethics”.

Both teams were really amazing. The debate was like a battle of words and it kept going on to the last instant. Both teams presented their potentials, ideas, POI, defense, confidences etc. Around 150 people were in the auditorium including 15 judges (final round), 6 (final round) debaters and some observers. The debate was wrapped up at 2000 hours.

Champion Dinner

The final round was over. Now was the time for some food. The School arranged a buffet dinner for all participants and guests. People were sharing their experiences and memories of the last 3 days at the dinner.

Prize Giving Ceremony

After the gala dinner the whole programme was drawn to an end with the prize-giving ceremony. Before distributing prizes among the winners Chair Adjudicator R.H. Stalin and the four Deputy judges Tanvir, Rudro, Saddam and Azim gave a short speech and vote of thanks. Then CA announced the champion team of the 3rd BDC Pre-world SDC 07. Finally ISD-A got the champion trophy and Manarat-A won the runner-up trophy. The top 10 debaters also received the trophy from Ms. Helen Sharrock. Shabab (ISD) got 1st, Sadat (MM) got 2nd and Kashpee (MM) got 3rd rank out of 10. Then the floor was closed officially.

After this tournament the next phase will be the selection of the 5 debaters out of the top 18 to represent Bangladesh in South Korea. The 3rd BDC Pre-world top-10 institution ranking has been announced by BDC.

1. Intl. School Dhaka (ISD)

2. 2. Manarat Intl. School

3. Mastermind School (MM)

4. Sunnydale School

5. Bangladesh Intl. Tutorial (BIT)

6. European Standard School (ESS)

7. Aga Khan School (AKS)

8. Notre Dame College (NDC)

9. The Red Brick School (TRBS)

10. Maple Leaf Intl. School (MLIS).

(Student of IUB)