Are you a ‘football’ player?
NO!
You should be its fan—world-cup?
Are you good, if not bad or worst, at playing soccer?
NO!
You should be anyway better at cheering-up ‘goal! goal! goal!?’
And yes, for those of you missing community-based ‘football’ tournament—the ones like those in Beldangi or Sanischare play grounds, especially after dispersed living through resettlement, it might be worth reaching Atlanta, GA on June 17-18. Reason: The first of its kind in Diaspora, Bhutanese Inter-State Knock-out Soccer Tournament, is expected to bring together what the organizer’s call ‘soccer players’ to rock the Diasporic play ground.
- Ready to be kicked?
A statement sent to BNS by the organizing committee, comprised of independent sports lovers and volunteers, says the tournament is aimed at strengthening the social fabric by bringing together communities, youths, sports enthusiasts, among others.
The statement further said that the tournament will bring together players and sports lovers from all the States and provide fun and networking opportunities.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions made by soccer players and team managers in Bhutan or back in refugees camps and hope that we will be able to inject the same spirit and love of the game and create a precedent for future events,” added the statement.
Talking briefly over phone, Bikash Chhetri, one of the volunteers, said that such an opportunity was explored to bring together young Bhutanese, sports lovers, among others, and help them create motivation to continue their dedication to games and sports, in particular—soccer .
“We have been having conversations with Team Managers and State Organizations and thus far at least 17 States have expressed their desire to participate with more planning on joining,” said Chhetri.
Chhetri further stated that Bhutanese youths today face a steep task of maintaining the cultural and societal values in their transition to the American life and that the events as such would help by fostering friendships and will bridge the existing generational gap.
The tournament, according to the organizers, is also aimed at motivating a new generation of players who might have felt neglected considering that soccer as a professional sports is just beginning to entrench in the life style of Americans.
The organizing committee has further urged Bhutanese in USA—groups, organizations or individuals, to extend possible helping hands to support their endeavor and make the occasion a success.
Editor’s Note: Click here to read rules and regulations of the tournament.
By TP Mishra for BNS from North Carolina.
