The Ultimate Genius Showdown: Young Minds Compete in Burundi’s Budding Genius Quiz Bowl

This past Friday and Saturday, the Burundian French Institute hosted a thrilling quiz bowl competition, the Budding Genius, organized by Club Génies en Herbe, an association of young people passionate about instilling excellence in the youth. The competition featured teams from different corners of the economic capital of Bujumbura, all eager to showcase their knowledge and quick-thinking skills.

Despite starting later than expected due to technical difficulties, the matches were met with excitement and enthusiasm from the young student audience from the participating schools, who came to support their teams and witness the intellectual showdown. The Saturday was more heated as the long-awaited derby, Vugizo High School vs. SOS HG High School, took place. The clash ended in a victory for Vugizo with a score of 180, but only after a vicious fight with the octuple champion with 110 points.

The two days featured seasoned veterans and fresh faces, with some players showing off their expertise and quick thinking while others seemed unconfident. However, even the newer schools made their mark on the competition, proving that knowledge and sharp thinking are broader than the experienced teams.

One of the event’s prominent cases was the performance of the Islamic Cultural Center High School, a relatively new school in the competition. They managed to go head-on with 2020’s title champion, Scheppers Nyakabiga High School, and eventually won the match with a score of 140 to 110 points, much to the surprise of their more experienced competitors.

Despite the intense competition and high stakes, the atmosphere at the event was lighthearted and playful, with a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship prevailing throughout. The players and coaches from the different teams were seen interacting and sometimes responding to questions, creating a friendly and inclusive environment.

The matches were a valid showcase of the participating schools’ intellectual talents and competitive spirit. The questions covered a wide range of topics, from literature and history to science and current events, testing the players’ knowledge and ability to think on their feet, which was a true testament to the power of knowledge and the importance of fostering a love for learning in young students.

We should keep in mind that these matches counted as the first two features from the playoffs, and the subsequent playoffs are on the 21st of January 2023, a date for the calendar of all the enthusiasts of this kind of competition.