By TP Mishra

Texas! Hip-hip! Hurray!

It would not be a hyperbole to say that if you were not in Georgia this week, you missed something great, a fantastic event incredibly organized. The obvious truth though, is that many among us could not make it due to various reasons that might include our odd-hour job, transportation problems, family responsibilities, or long distance-drive, among others. Whatever the case be, however, we clearly missed a great event—the first Bhutanese Inter-State Soccer Tournament.

The smiling faces: Texas team, winner of the tournament, celebrates victory. Photo Courtesy/Raghab Kafley.

Some hundreds, who had thronged to Atlanta, GA—either to play, motivate team members, or just to watch the soccer tournament, could finally demonstrate the proof of the saying  ‘where there is a will, there is a way’, no matter where, what and  how our living conditions are.

The highlights of the tournament by few photographs, a couple of news stories in media outlets or a phone call to a friend in the play ground for updates, for sure, were inadequate to replace the “real charm” reflected by the first-of-its-kind tournament. That was a place, personally I had never seen in the past gatherings among the community folks, where everybody had real fun—in one or the other way.

The team from California, who lost their match in semi-finals, travelled approximately 40-hour straight by cars to reach the playground. What could be a greater testimony than this to prove their enthusiasm and willingness to be at the tournament? Anyone can assume the difficulties and troublesome journey they might have had during their trip. Their courage and interest towards games and sports, of such a kind, at this transitional phase in the USA, perhaps reflects their continuous dedication.

Texas team, which finally bagged the winner trophy, was not an exception! Several other teams might have faced similar hiccoughs, but their continuous endurance and dedication paid them off – not to mention that every teams’ effort cannot be overlooked.

Most of the players, the BNS talked to, in the venue, appear to be very young and dynamic students or full-time workers—almost all of whom are at entry-level jobs.  The team captain of the players from Charlotte in North Carolina, Gupta Rai, says his team members hardly had an hour-sleep Thursday night for they headed towards Atlanta straight from their work places.

The 'Bhutanese" ball, in front, awaits to be kicked while players exercise on the front side. Photo/author.

The youths are counted as pillars of the nation; the future for tomorrow and this time’s tournament in Georgia along with a huge participation reflects a stronger message of ‘unity’, at least among youths, if not among all.  If it were to be taken from positive aspects, the event also portrayed arrays of shining hopes that our younger generation might and must do much better, in every aspect, in the future course of time. This is never impossible, for we are in the heaven of opportunities.

It is time that we offer our sincere Bhutanese ‘salute’ to the organizers, all teams, their managers, soccer fans participating in the tournament—and specially Texas—the winner: Texas, Hip-hip! Hurray!

Note: Pictures,unless otherwise mentioned, were taken by the author during the tournament in Georgia and can be viewed in bigger size by clicking on them.

The struggle to score goal.

Georgian team pose for a photo before entering play ground.

One of the goal keepers uses all force to shoot ball far off to his team members.

Hal time: players rests, talks of new strategy to energize the game after half time.

The fight for a goal. NC (green) Vs California (red). The California team had arrived Georgia after 40-hour straight driving by cars.

A player from Utah readies himself.

Umpires, US certified, give rule details before match begins.

Volunteers at the organizing committee readying energy drinks, water to players.

Side judge, linesman, waves flag up to indicate fault.

Bikash Chhetri (right) receives what he calls 'liability forms' which were mandatory to be signed by players.

A senior Bhutanese citizen, who walks off the border-line in the ground, waves hand to camera. He reached the venue from Kentucky to watch the match.

All in vain: The keeper, despite attempts, could not catch this hard-shot ball.

Practice makes perfect: the players readying themselves before entering ground.

A sports car with players from Tennessee heads to another play ground. The matches were played in two grounds on Friday's first round.