The long, arduous journey to Shere Hills
Shortly after the Corporate Communication Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Chuma Igwe announced the commencement of Season 1V of the popular Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) Reality TV show and declared the programme's website open, thousands of enthusiastic Nigerian youths registered their intention to contest in the country's premier reality TV game show.
Unlike past outings, the screening of contestants for the fourth edition of GUS IV was not restricted to Lagos.
At the time registration closed, over 25,000 potential contenders successfully registered on-line. As it was aired on TV on Tuesday, the regional screenings started in Lagos where the contestants battled for a slot by running in the mud. For those who besieged the Lagos regional screening centre, the marshy terrain took its toll fast and easily. The fashion savvy among them quickly had their get up spoiled and soiled.
The scenario was immersed with emotions. Comedy, wailing and other ridiculous acts were common sights. Audience had cause to pity and feel for some of the participants, while viewers cannot help but laugh out loudly at some of the contestants as they waded through the mud; devise ridiculous styles inside the swimming pool, aside other comic acts.
Notwithstanding this comic swimming style, Lagos zone delivered some of the strongest swimmers in the country from the zonal screening, but it also resulted in some injuries that had to be attended to. While some of the ladies looked good outside the water, they didn't do quite well inside. Various plans and methods were devised to get around the fact that swimming wasn't their game. Indeed, some had to use life savers and buoys to get back to the side.
The situation was not too different in other screening centres as almost similar ludicrous scenes were re-enacted. The zonal screening in the host city, Jos, Plateau State also exerted its excitement.
With the city's high altitude, the screening in Jos posed its greatest challenge in the running competition. It was a keen contest, but some had too many feet that got in their way, attracting immediate disqualification.
The ladies had to stretch their legs extra long and when the officials stepped in to indicate those who didn't make it, some became upset. No doubt, swimming was one of the most vital aspects of the competition and that was where a lot of the would-be serious contenders got eliminated. In Jos, the gentlemen looked good outside the pool, but as witnessed in the Lagos zonal screening, looks were deceptive.
The Search for the GUS warriors from the zones next stop was Owerri, the capital of Imo State. Contenders were lucky here. A really jacked up athletic track meant that no-one had to wade through mud even though it was a rainy day. Again, the venue was packed with eager youths who thronged the stadium in their thousands with the hope of taking a shot at fame and fortune by becoming GUS Ultimate man or woman. However, after a few laps of running round the tracks, the grains were separated from the chaffs.
Again, happenings in the swimming pool in Owerri provided ludicrous entertainment. " The closest to water some of the guys came was like having a bath.
The zonal screening in Benin City, Edo State renowned for its oil deposits and rubber plantations did not fair any better aside the fact that it showcased beautifully dressed contestants.
However, as observed by the narrator, pretty face did not translate to good sprint. Though the pool here was smaller than in other zones, it had less water in it after the swimming exercise was completed. No thanks to turns of splashing and swallowing. Indeed, grabbing the side rails even prevent ed some of them from sinking.
The zonal screening rounded off in the South Eastern state of Enugu where the beautiful stadium dispensed cruel justice to some unsuccessful contestants. The men were soon separated from the boys.
At the end of the screening, 43 potential Searchers emerged. They were taken to the traditional GUS final training and screening centre, Sea School Lagos where they encountered greater tasks.
The final 43 arrived Sea School in high spirits but soon found out that the odds were against them right from the word go. Here, an already tough task was made even more difficult and uncomfortable by a very wet and rainy day. But, they soon got used to the situation. In fact, some remain dressed to look pretty. No mercy as they waded through the puddles of water.
Having successfully made their way to Lagos, only 10 would go to Shere Hills in search of the ultimate prize. Amidst bad weather, they tried to keep their spirits high, but some were obviously more worried than others.
The training/screening tests at the Sea School involve various obstacle tasks from wall climbing to crawling under barbed wires and sundry physically and mentally challenging tasks. There were also canoe riding tests, the highpoint of the screening was one involving contestants jumping off a ship into the sea and swimming to safety. At the end of the exercise, 10 contestants emerged and stormed Shere Hills in search of the treasure that will hopefully unleash the Golden Age.
culled from Sunnewsonline
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