Warming up...All change today - Argentina have not been disqualified, but have moved up a division as have Pakistan. It means that any matches these teams have played are now null and void and we are facing scheduling extra matches today in order to catch up. Once again I am assigned to Bahrain, who have supporters from a local primary school in to see them. The entire school raised funds to bring over four of the girls and have all made Bahrain flags to wave when the team scores. There are also supporters from the host town* the team stayed with the week prior to the competition.
It is great to see the support there for them**. As Bahrain play first they finish their day at lunchtime so I am reassigned in the afternoon to Bhurat (the Indian name for India). This has different challenges to Bahrain as four of the girls are deaf and dumb and the rest of the team speak four different languages between them. Once again, the common languages of mime, smiles and lots of hugs win the day and the team happily arrive on court to play their match.
* = can't remember which town it was, but they were quite a way from Dublin. The girls were so pleased to see them, and it was obvious that the townfolk had taken them to their hearts
** = often it was just me, the two team coaches and another English woman travelling with them who were the only people shouting and cheering for Bahrain. Luckily I can shout very loudly when needed!
Click here for Day 8.
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