ERROR IN JUNIOR SHARKS 5 FINALS: ORGANIZERS APPLAUDED FOR PROMPT AND EFFICIENT ACTION

Manna International School, Breman, Kumasi, were initially credited with having won the grand finale of season 6 of the Junior Sharks, beating Delhi Private School (DPS), Tema, by one hundred and fifty (150) to one hundred and forty (140) points.

Key Background

Manna International and Delhi Private School (DPS), familiar foes in the noble profession of brainy activities met at the grand finale of Junior Sharks 6, held at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, on June 24, 2023.

On the said date, an unexpected turn of events occurred during the highly anticipated grand finale between these two schools.

An error in the tabulation process resulted in the declaration of defending champions, Manna International as winners of Junior Sharks 5, sparking celebration among Manna International supporters.

Tabulation Error discovered

At the end of the final round, the scores of both schools were subjected to a meticulous review process.

It was during this process that an oversight in the tabulation was detected by the officials responsible for tallying the scores.

The error was traced back to a technical glitch in the entry in the first Round which resulted in an inaccurate calculation of the final scores to the undue advantage of Manna International.

Outcome of resolution

Upon discovery of the tabulation error, the organising committee immediately convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and determine the most appropriate course of action.

After careful deliberation and taking into account the spirit of fairness and camaraderie, it was decided that both Manna International and DPS would be declared joint winners of Junior Sharks 5.

“Both teams will receive equal recognition, rewards, and benefits that come with winning the competition, including the spotlight, cash prize and any other associated honours”, parts of a statement released by The Sharks Academic Board allowed.

Lessons Learned

The unfortunate mishap highlights the importance of thorough quality checks and rigorous testing when it comes to technical systems used in such competitions.

In order to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future, the organising committee has pledged to review and update their scoring software, conducting extensive testing before any future events.

Furthermore, the committee plans to enhance the transparency and auditability of the tabulation process, ensuring that there are multiple layers of cross-verification to minimize the possibility of errors.

They also aim to implement a contingency plan in case such incidents arise again, ensuring the appropriate measures are in place to address them promptly and efficiently.

Sincere apologies

The declaration of DPS as joint winners of Junior Sharks 5 owing to a tabulation error demonstrates a consummate regard for fairness and a commitment to integrity upheld by the organising committee.

In keeping with same, the concluding parts of the communique by The Sharks Academic Board reiterated thus, “we extend our deepest apologies to DPS International, Manna International and all the teams and supporters of The Sharks Quiz for any inconvenience caused”.

The foregoing notwithstanding, the joint victory not only showcases the amazing talents and knowledge of the two teams but also highlights the importance of grace and sportsmanship in the face of unexpected circumstances.

Congratulations to all the teams.

The Sharks Quiz is proudly sponsored by Fidelity Bank, University of Nottingham, Academic City University College, Family Health Medical School, University of The Free State, Ashesi University, St. Lawrence College, Coca-Cola, Chopbox Online, Solar Taxi and Vivo Energy.
Media Partners include TV3, 3News, 3fm, Kwadwo Sheldon Studios, High Schools Society and Blue Vision Multimedia.