interstate knockout soccer tournament

In an effort to facilitate and promote games, sports, arts, entertainment, and recreational activities for community youth, the BCAA sponsored an Interstate Knockout Soccer Tournament at Jennings Community Learning Center on Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, 2013 in Akron, Ohio. 
 
The BCAA hoped to rekindle friendships developed in the 18+ years these families spent in refugee camps in Nepal after they were forced out of Bhutan in an ethnic cleansing.  BCAA officers also looked at this event as an opportunity to build new relationships with Akron residents.
 
Participating teams drove from Akron OH (4 teams), Baltimore MD, Buffalo NY, Burlington VT, Cincinnati OH (2 teams), Cleveland OH, Columbus OH, Dallas TX, Erie PA, Grand Rapids MI (team disqualified for inappropriate conduct), Hampton VA, Harrisburg PA, Illinois, Kentucky (2 teams), Lansing MI, Lancaster PA, Charlotte NC, Philadelphia PA, Pittsburg PA, Richmond VA, and Rochester NY.  That was a lot of driving for a lot of fun and commaradary.  It was an impressive roster of participating teams!

​John Valle (left), Director of Neighborhood Assistance for the City of Akron, addressed the players, coaches, and spectators at the Opening Ceremony.  He said that he was pleased to see so many new Asian residents in Akron, and that he wanted each and every one to feel at home in Akron.  His office is particuularly interested in making the quality of life better for all of the refugee communities in North Hill.  He concluded his remarks by saying that he hopes this year's tournament will become an annual event and get bigger and better every year.  In the picture at the right, Mr. Valle is being interviewed by Nilam Ghimirey.

After lining up, the ball was kicked into action,and the play began.  Avid photographers took pictures of the action, the announcers, and the crowd.  Ms Nugyen (below, left in left picture), a teacher at North High school came to support her students because many of them participate in the Peace Zone Sporting Club teams.  Ms Win and Nilam Ghimirey are standing beside one of the "Keep Akron Beautiful" containers that were donated for the event. T

This tournament provided an opportunity for families to visit while they saw how well their kids play.  Below you see how spectators surrounded the field and two of the winning teams from Pittsburgh PA and Charlotte NC celebrate in front of the camera.  

Dancers performed at halftime, many supporters like Michael Kane and Dil Rimal made sure the event was successful, and announcers kept the action moving.  

Many people made significant contributions to this event.  They included Madhav Bhatta, Sudan Rai, Amber Subba, Bishnu Subba, Naresh Subba Laoti, Prakash Biswa, Prem Chowan, Sudan Rai, San Man Subba, Krishna Subba, Sagina Rai, Pabitra Nepal, Bishnu Maya Basnet, Dhan Maya Tamang, Mongali Subba, Captain Sylvia Trundle, Chief James Nice, Debra Foulk, Michael Critchfield, Todd Wiley, Mike Vinson, Michael Byun, Elaine Woloshyn, Diane Johnson, the Hindu Sewa Samittee, Bawa Tamang, Bharat Cista, Srijang and Gopal Subba, Dil Kumar Ghalley, Goman Magar, Janga Bir Lepche, Amrit Regmi, Rich Desrosiers, Michael Beaven, and many others,  Thank you all!!!