Bormase Invitational

Around one year ago, I started work on a proposal related to a HIV/AIDS related football tournament. Many factors contributed to the delay of the project implementation but yesterday, at long last, the project was completed.

Cheri and Travis came to Bormase in order to help with the process. On Friday, football teams from Bormase Huenya, Bormase, Sekesua and Agbeli Tsum arrived in Bormase for HIV/AIDS education. I had played with Bormase and against Sekesua but many of the 70 attendees were new acquaintances. Using several exercises and lessons from the GrassRoot Soccer curriculum, Cheri, Travis, Patrick the translator and I took these 15-30 year old young men through the day. The balance of note taking and field based drills helped the necessary repetition seem less obvious.

We covered statistics, preventative measures, basic facts and de-stigmatization during the 9am-3pm session. Of course, we were working on Ghana time so players started trickling in at 9 but the full group hadn't formed until nearly 11am. The players began the day in comfortable cliques and refused to share their thoughts. By the end, rival teams were integrating and laughing together while playing working through educational games. I was about as nervous for project as I was for the GMAT. I'll admit that I spent far more time preparing for the test but the number of potential obstacles and problems facing related to this project created a much different feel.

I scheduled to have a tro-tro meet us at the football field at 9am on Saturday morning. Any interested players would be shuttled to the clinic in Sekesua. The tro showed up at 10am and a full car was headed to the clinic by 11am. Unfortunately, the clinic only had 3 test kits and there are nearly twenty players waiting. I had been told that the clinic would be able to help but I made the error of expecting them to have the proper equipment. Using some remaining funds from the proposal, I added to the already high tro fare (it's strange suddenly have such an influx of funds that MUST be spent after a year and a half of shoestring living). A small group stayed in the tro while we drove 45 minutes to Asesewa, picked up 60 new tests and drove 45 minutes back. The tournament was scheduled to start at 2pm and we were arriving back at the clinic at around noon. Unfortunately, several players had come and gone by the time we arrived. At the end of the day, 45 very nervous young men knew for sure whether or not they were HIV positive.

The final shuttle of players arrived at the field at 2pm and few players were around. By 2:45, coaches from each of the four teams had shown up and drawn numbers to decide the schedule. Sekesua and Bormase (the two favorites) would play the first match while Bormase Huenya and Agbeli Tsum would play the second match. Due to the late start, the matches would have 35 minute halves and draws would be decided by penalty kicks with no overtime. All coaches agreed and the first match was underway by 3pm.

Fans trickled in as the game was beginning. Sekesua dominated possession early and after a Bormase defender blatantly tackled a Sekesua striker in the box, Sekesua took a 1-0 lead on perfectly placed penalty shot.

Bormase drew even early in the second half on an incredible individual effort. A Bormase striker reached a bounding ball just ahead of the Sekesua keeper and managed to head the ball through the keepers outstretched hands and into the net. Sekesua dominated possession for the remainder of the match and narrowly missed capitalizing on several opportunities. With time running down, Bormase had one last opportunity and from the corner of the 18 yard box, a near perfect strike narrowly missed the mark as it struck the corner where the bamboo post and bamboo crossbar met.

Both coaches and the referee approached me and told me that they had decided to play overtime and decide the winner. Again, I explained that there would be no overtime because of time constraints. It would go directly to a shootout.

Hundreds of spectators flooded the field and tightly gathered around the box as the shootout began. The first shooter from each team scored easily and received uproarious applause. The Sekesua goalkeeper saved Bormase's second attempt and Sekesua took a 2-1 lead. Bormase's young keeper stepped up the the challenge and saved the third shot from Sekesua's confident squad. A headlong dive to the lower left corner by the teen aged keeper resulted in a beautiful save and ensuing pandemonium. Bormase's fourth shooter blasted his shot over the crossbar, Sekesua's fifth followed with a composed and accurate effort that ended the match that many players and fans expected to see as Sunday's final match.

Bormase Huenya and Agbeli Tsum played through drizzles and approaching darkness to an uneventful 1-0 win. The skies opened up as the match came to an end and people scattered to any available zinc roof.

Sunday's matches were scheduled to begin at 2pm. As is to be expected but not appreciated, the first match got underway at 4pm. Two 20 minute halves gave Bormase and their St. Ignatius College Preparatory uniforms third place and allowed enough time for the final.

To the surprise of many, Agbeli Tsum took an early 1-0 lead. Sekesua dominated position and showed superior skills as they drew even before half-time. The score line for the second half was more indicative of the match-up and Sekesua walked away as champs with a 4-1 win.

Just before dark, awards were given to each team. Unfortunately, the ball that Bormase was to win had been kicked into the bush during the final match and could not be found. In an on-the-fly decision, I decided that Bormase would take no prize and try to find the ball the following day. I could not send a visiting team away with nothing. Naturally, I received complaints last night and this morning from the team. Why did first place get this while we got nothing? Why did we not play overtime?

I explained the situation and after checking the bush, Bormase had it's prize but no fewer complaints. In the end, many people received much needed education while hundreds enjoyed an eventful weekend. The results of the program exceeded my expectations and I'm very pleased.

Next in line will be a massive harvest of flourishing Moringa farm. Coming soon will be the construction of a much needed Community Bead Center. Please take a look at the following link if you're interested in contributing.

https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=641-263

Love to all!!
Ira