Cricket Tournament, Running for the PEACE

- MANNAM International Victory Cup Cricket Tournament -

Finally MANNAM International Victory Cup cricket tournament progressed from October 6^th to 27^th came to an end. We grow up much more than last year, and we still make an effort to tell our MANNAM spirit, the PEACE.

Cricket tournament was held only in Busan. Cricket teams from many regions who heard that MANNAM held second cricket tournament wanted to participate. As they really wanted to participate in tournament, they actively engaged. We were surprised at their passion.

Games were progressed favorably. Compared with last year cricket tournament, we got skill to progress the event, tournament’s scale became bigger. Players started games with the big hope of the first place. Even though they are from different countries and have different career, they looked the same goal.

However, the first place could be the one team. Hazara Pak won the first place in succession, and Changwon Lackers won the second place. Although they contended the victory, two teams were delighted with dance. After the game, they gather round and dance together. There was no loser’s sorrow or winner’s conceit. Just there was joy.

In this time, I was satisfied that we handed them the peace with different shape. We did hand printing follow the peace mark on the banner with our message; Different color, different size, but same mind to peace. Also we took pictures with the paper which is written world peace with MANNAM.  It was meaningful work and I’m happy to gather more people who join and proceed with our sprit. 

MANNAM International Victorycup Final

Victory cup tounament final in Ga-pyeong with Saigon FC

   

   The Saigon FC from Vietnam won the Victory cup preliminary rounds in Busan south. So some of Busan MANNAM members and Saigon team players went to Ga-pyeong stadium near Seoul. Since Busan is so far from the stadium, we had to be in a hurry. Everyone got on the bus at 5 o'clock in the morning. When the bus departed for Ga-pyeong, it seemed that it would be long and tired journey. We all slept in the bus for about seven hours. However, as soon as we got off the bus at the stadium, we all excited to be part in the final Victory cup.

   All the players and MANNAM members from other cities in Korea were enthusiastic. They were ready to enjoy the day, 20th of October.

   Everything was set up for tournament participants, including the good boothes. Making badges, writing peace messages, experiancing Korean traditional games, etc. Variety activities made our long time event fun.

   The opening ceremony was awesome!

   

   All people from different countries had been one in the name of sports, MANNAM and PEACE.

   I hoped Saigon won the competition, but unfortunately the Saigon soccer team took 3rd place in the tournament.

   

   Little bit sad, but it was wonderful time. Not only i have got many new Vietnamese friends but also met Samy from Egypt who used to be a Busan MANNAM soccer team goal keeper.(You are still my teammate Samy :p)

   I hope to see everyone and play football together next competition again.

Peace upon you.

Letter from MANNAM staff honggu-Ji

[MANNAM International Victory Cup] MANNAM International Victory Cup held in Eul-suk do

Hello! Warm hearted people!  I am Ji Hong-Gu. It has been almost 2 years since I joined MANNAM and Titans football team.

I took a part in the MANNAM International Victory Cup on August 25th, 2013 in Eul-suk do, Busan.

The Busan MANNAM South branch personnel helped participating teams from start to finish so that all participants could concentrate fully on matches. I know that, as a Korean, it is a really hard and difficult job to organize a multinational football/soccer competition; especially in terms of gathering so many participating foreigners, but they successfully did so for the sole purpose of promoting peace.

I have been particularly impressed by one thing since I have joined the MANNAM volunteer association. Usually many Koreans are hesitant to have a conversation with foreigners outside of an English academy. But MANNAM’s people are always making an attempt to be nice and kind to everyone, to practice peace regardless of nationality, race, religion, or language. Even some members who cannot speak a foreign language very well have been trying hard to encourage others to fully embrace the idea of peace and volunteerism.

That’s why the TITANS football team is the best team I have ever been a part of in my life. It has great team mates from different countries, religions, and physical make-ups. It is the best part of being with the Titans.
Titans took second place with a record of 1 win and 2 ties at the MANNAM International Victory Cup held in Eul-suk do (을숙도). All members were anxious to go to the finals in Ansan more than ever. But after the competition, nobody cared who the winner was. Instead they just encouraged each other and hoped each could go to the finals next time. The really good thing was that we met many new friends no matter who won in the end.
It was the football tournament that was able to remind us of peace and allowed us to enjoy football all together.

Anyone can organize a sports competition or take a part in one, but MANNAM sets itself apart by holding a sports competition in the name of peace; a peace that stems straight from their heart.
Thank you so much again. May we all live to see our world at peace.

[MANNAM International] MANNAM TITANS played soccer game in Silla university

MANNAM played soccer on a sunny day. We were going to rent futsal court in Silla university. But there were many people in both my team and opponent team, we played as members of 11vs11 in the big soccer field since no one was using there.
The sunsine and the heat from the ground made the weather was even hotter that all the players were soaked in swear.
We played three games and we spent 25 minutes for each games.

Since it was an extremely hot and humid day, we took a long break. We talked a lot and took care each other, which made a really awesome break time.

Our team seemed to  playing better than before. They could pass the balls very well and they seemed to enjoy the game with Roar FC's team.
It seemed to be that they know their positions and know what each other wanted. The game was amazing but the thing that they took care of each other was even more amazing.

They were sharing iced water, asking about their news and joking around with staffs, and that was awesome like all of them seemed to be old friends.

 

When the game was over, I told everyone about the International Victory Cup and most of our team members said that they were in. We helped picking up all the trashes. I don't think there is any other team like MANNAM TITANS.