The 9th YMCA Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament kicked off, June 12, 2015 on Independence Day at 1:00 in the afternoon at the YMCA gymnasium gathering some twenty five teams from different government, non-government agencies and other organizations beating the buzzer to the championships this year.
In accordance with the tournament guidelines set by the YMCA Physical Education and Sports Committee headed by Board of Director Jerome D. Gawidan, the teams and the individual players will be screened to determine their Bracket placements which will be done on June 10, 2015 after the final meeting of the committee.
According to the guidelines set, the screening of teams and players will balance participation in all four brackets (YMCA), and for current varsity and ex-varsity players to be refrained from joining any of the teams as it would be advantageous having players of this calibre in a team.
Gawidan said in an earlier orientation meeting set for team coaches, the tournament aims to give chances to local teams to play in an official tournament that should be played in fellowship, developing players to know the importance of “winning and losing” as well as reframing game adversities in good use.
Meanwhile, the YMCA World Challenge slated last June 6, 2015 in celebration of the 171st founding anniversary of the World YMCA with the theme; “Kicking Goals for Youth Empowerment” gathered all YMCA’s in the world operating in 120 countries to come together in sharing the YMCA story through sports.
With links in the sport football, the World YMCA’s aimed to setting a world record for the most number of football “free-kicks” made by people, conducted simultaneous programs involving its members as well the community to be part of the YMCA Family in setting the record for this year.
The YMCA of Baguio City for the purpose gathered some 120 members and football enthusiasts who participated in the event. Facilitated by the members of the Board and staff, an initial “futsal” game was initiated after the event for the first time in the YMCA gymnasium by YMCA Board member Marlon Tabdi who also talked on the history and rules of football as an introduction of the sport to YMCA members for the possible opening of the sport as a regular activity in the YMCA in the near future.
