PHNOM PENH: Golden Gate American School (GGAS) wrapped up a successful 2023 Football and Basketball Tournament on Sunday, June 18. The tournament was held as a means to build sportsmanship and community and to raise funds for rural schools. EAC News had a chance to see Sunday’s basketball match, which had an energetic atmosphere of unity.
Nhep Sokha, Vice Principle of GGAS Ou Baek K’am Branch, said that this was the second annual event and took place over two days to establish friendly relations between GGAS students and those from other Phnom Penh schools. Additionally, the tournament serves as a fundraiser to support and build schools for students in remote areas. He added that the tournament has a third goal, "In particular, the school aims to promote sports in Cambodia with the Ministry of Education as well as with our government.”
On June 17, the school’s soccer match was held with Team Kromtoch (Small Team) taking the lead, followed by Team Kriel (The Cranes) in second and Team PPAU in third.
On the morning of the 18th, four basketball teams competed in the Under-14 tournament and nine competed in the Under-18 tournament to see who would take home the glory and the prizes. In addition to medals and a trophy, first place would go home with 1.2 million riels (about $300), the second place winner would receive 800,000 Riels (about $200) and third place would collect 400,000 Riel (about $100).
In the U-18 category, first place went to team OverEight, followed by No Step Back in second and the Thunder Wolves in third. For the U-14 division, team Limitless won first, while the Pink Squirrels took second and GGAS home team Eternity took home the bronze.
Eternity team members expressed their happiness at the payoff of their hard work. One teammate said, "For the result I feel very happy, because this is my first time winning with the money".
Fourteen-year-old Nilo Candidato of the first place team Limitless said, "So excited! Speechless, now we won."
Many students, parents and friends showed up to support their players.
Student Chhuon Nary saw the event as a good opportunity to support school sports. "Actually this year [is] our last year before graduating. We join a lot of matches and competitions and this is a good chance and experience that we should catch. We should cheer them if we have time,” she said.
The competition ended with smiles from all participating teams. The proceeds from food and beverage sales at the tournament will be put towards the GGAS school fund to build four classrooms and an office at Samaki Preah Athit School in Kampong Thom province. School representatives have announced that the tournament will be held next year, hoping for even more participation and happy memories made.
