UNITED DASHAIN SOCCER DAY
GREENSBORO NC SATURDAY, OCT 8, 2011
Dashain end of day celebration. Players gather around for one more photo.
Atlanta Soccer Games
From Sept 2-6, High Point and Greensboro soccer teams at the Nepalese Association in Southeast America (NESeA) and Association of Nepalese in Midwest America (ANMA) Joint Convention held in Atlanta, GA. Our teams played against strong representatives from other regions but they did not play up to their potential. It was not bad for a first attempt, but it would take more effort to pull everyone together as one. Clear rules about sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for all participants needed to be spelled out. Coaches and team captains drew up a list of behaviors expected of all players.
Coming Together
Teams began practicing again. The original United Dashain soccer tournament had been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, a day before the United Dashain Festival held at Caldcleugh, but wet weather soaked the field so the event was rescheduled to Oct. 8. Although one team, High Point Division A, could not participate because of large wedding taking place, organizers decided to continue.
Unity and Peace Team Soccer Shirts
Team shirts were designed following input and recommendations from the Sports Committee. The words "Unity" and "Peace" were chosen in favor of overt messages including "Dashain" which although it has its origins in a specifically Hindu tradition, is recognized by most as a national and cultural celebration. A popular image of Buddhist eyes was also rejected for the same reason. Everyone was sensitive to appearances of favoritism or exclusion. The hand greeting of welcome, namaste, woven into the design of Unity and Peace and topped with a soccer ball seemed to capture the spirit of the tournament's organizers and was approved for production.
Players and organizers went to the print shop to decide colors. They negotiated prices within the project budget, then went to another locally owned business to purchase balls and flags.
Sagarmatha gets its team colors. Coaches and leaders
delivered shirts to the players on the day of the tournament.
delivered shirts to the players on the day of the tournament.
Sagarmatha gets its team colors.
Bhutanese Youth Club colors. The gesture of hands together is accompanied with the spoken
greeting, Namaste, used in Bhutanese and Nepalese communities. Soccer is adored by both, too.
greeting, Namaste, used in Bhutanese and Nepalese communities. Soccer is adored by both, too.
Bhutanese Youth Club at half time.
Bhutanese Youth Club at half time.
High Point Division B gets its team shirt.
Teams
The Sports Committee decided what was most needed were team shirts. Wearing the same colors builds unity by given each player a sense of team identity.
High Point Division B
Greensboro Boys Town
Referee and Sports Committee member Sunil Pradhan stands in the center wearing blue.
Referee and Sports Committee member Sunil Pradhan stands in the center wearing blue.
Charlotte
The Charlotte team came dressed and ready to play. Throughout the tournament they proved to be tough both on the attack and in defense.
Sagarmatha (Greensboro and High Point)
Sagarmatha v Bhutanese Youth Club
Bhutanese Youth Club wins, 4-3
Let the games begin! Play started about 10:30 am.
Sagarmatha advances the ball.
Charlotte versus Greensboro Boys TownCharlotte wins, 4-0
Charlotte Bhutanese Club versus
High Point Division B versus Sagarmatha
Sagarmatha wins 5-1
Charlotte versus High Point Division B
Charlotte wins, 3-1
Injured teammate carried off the field.
Fair play. Throughout the tournament teams played hard but they played fair. Calls were not disputed and players lived up to the new league's rules that emphasize respect for the referee, coaches, opposition and fellow team members.
Sidelines
Narayan and Bandana Khadka
Education first. Ramji Koirala takes a break from the
field in order to take an online test due later in the day.
field in order to take an online test due later in the day.
Finals
Charlotte Bhutanese Club versus Bhutanese Youth Club
Charlotte wins, 7-2
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Final minutes. As the clock ticked down, Charlotte maintained control of the ball.
Sportsmanship
Tired. Point Division B coming off the field after defeating Sagarmatha.
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Settling disputes through talk. Since High Point Division A couldn’t come, players had to decide who would go to the finals. After many rounds of discussion, they reached a collective decision.
Reinforcing the message of cooperation. Narayan Khadka
thanks all the teams for their cooperation and hard play.
thanks all the teams for their cooperation and hard play.
Well earned. Presentation of the tournament trophy ball by FaithAction
board member Andrew Young to the team captain of Charlotte.
board member Andrew Young to the team captain of Charlotte.
Moon on the rise. Ten hours of friendly competition and community building come to an end.
