GERMAINITE CHALLENGE CUP

In the earlier years, the OBA was guided by its Managing Committees led by its Presidents who were outstanding old boys, who had a vision and who where very enthusiastic about literary activities. They were always supported by the Principals who used to take very active part in their meetings. No Committee meeting would be held if the principal of the school was not present by the virtue of the fact that he was the ex- Officio Chairman. Thanks to their commitment and initiatives and the continued efforts of subsequent committees, OBA St GERMAINS is the only Alumni Association in Bangalore with a repertoire of programmes in the literary and sporting arenas.

The first venture was into Literary Activities on the level of an Inter school Competition.The Inter School English Debate for the OBA Shieldwas started in 1972, during the tenure of BM Suares as the President. Very soon, it became a premier debating trophy in the city amongst the top schools. St Joseph’s Boys High, earlier called European High School, the Cottonians, boys and girls, the Baldwinians, boys and girls, Sacred Heart School, Sophias, Frank Anthony Public School, Innisfree House School, St Francis Xavier’s Girls High School, besides St Germain High School, have all etched their school names on this trophy. The competition each year was so fierce and it took a real performance to lift this shield. Imagine when you have a situation of nearly 100 speakers to handle in an entire afternoon, going into the evening and night. This intense competition prevails even till today.

Immediately the following year- 1973, Prabhu Prasad donated a Trophy in memory of his late father-Sri Nanjundappa Memorial Rolling Shield for the Hindi Debate.

In 1980, BM Ramprasad as President instituted another shield - Sri B R Manikam Memorial Rolling Shield for the Kannada Debatein memory of his father.

In 1976, BK Anand, as President introduced the Rev Fr Benito D’souza Inter School Quiz Rolling Trophy. Rev Fr Benito D’souza was Principal of the school from 1968 till 1975. In 2000, during the 25th Edition of the trophy, Fr.Benito D’souza was personally present to hand over the trophy to the winners.

When C N Abraham took over as President in October 1999, he and his team continued the Spirit of the Golden Jubilee. Two new competitions – the inter-school MARCHING BAND and ENVIRONMENTAL COLLAGE were added with trophies sponsored by the D’sa family and the Sunbeam Motha family. The Inter – School dramatics competition was also revived. It was in 2000 that Noaman Razack introduced the Rev. Fr. Hilary Pereira SJ English Debating Trophy, erstwhile called the OBA Debating Trophy in honour of our past Principal.

In 2000, the inter school activities were brought under the Umbrella of The Germainite Challenge Cup in 2000. Participants need to assure themselves of the top places in the debates, quiz or collage, in order to participate for the Germainite Challenge Cup on the final day. This programme has been designed in such a way that right from the morning till its closure  late in the evening, the participants do not know who the ultimate winners are in the Junior and Senior categories. They are grilled in all aspects of spellings, a super knowledge quiz, group discussions, interactive group discussions and finally appearing before an interview panel. It tests their knowledge skills, the adaptability skills, the relation to their roots, personal talent rounds, clarity, originality, confidence levels, emotional quotient and other attributes. The competition is so intense that the Winner of the Juniors last year was knocked out this year before he could reach the final round.

At the end of the show, there is a scramble amongst the participants for obtaining the coveted Certificates, more valuable than the fantastic gifts and prizes.

The Germainite Challenge Cup and the way it has been conducted over the years has brought the OBA appreciation and compliments, from not only the students and parents, but from the teaching fraternity and the Principals of various schools.

The Most non controversial programme very well conducted with no heartburn for anyone…. Principal, NPS- Indiranagar

The most unbiased programme… Mrs Srinivas -a Parent mother of Pooja Srinivas winner Juniors 2013

Such a unique and wonderful programme, no school does it in Bangalore… Mrs Chakraborthy a parent mother of Oindrilla Chakraborthy outstanding student in 2012.
The Challenge Cup has been conducted on a regular basis except for 2009 and 10. It was revived last year and in order that it becomes a regular feature of the OBA Activities, it now is mandatory for Managing Committees in future to conduct it as it has been included as part of a Constitutional requirement.
The 2012-13 Managing Committee has taken steps to ensure that an experienced Core Group consisting of individuals other than members of the Managing Committee, will be in place to provide continuity and ensure that these activities are properly conducted in future.