Hundreds Take Part in Special Olympics Soccer Jamboree

[December 1, 2019 – Harmon, Guam] Hundreds of athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters turned up for the first-ever Guam Football Association Special Olympics Guam Unified Soccer Jamboree Saturday morning at the GFA National Training Center.

“On behalf of GFA, I would like to congratulate all athletes on their achievements, as well as thank the coaches, volunteers, and supporters for realizing this event for the athletes,” said Tino San Gil, GFA President. “For years, we have looked into creating a partnership with Special Olympics Guam in providing more opportunities for our community, and I’m filled with emotion that the partnership has come to fruition this year, culminating in Saturday’s Jamboree. We look forward to continue working with Special Olympics Guam to expand this event in years to come.”

The event’s festivities began with a torch relay run featuring athletes from the Matao and Masakåda, Guam men’s and women’s national teams, respectively, and youth national teams from Andersen to GFA in Harmon.

At GFA, the national team athletes met with Special Olympics athletes to complete the torch relay and opening ceremony. Following the ceremony, athletes took their places at various skill stations and fields for small-sided games. The event ended with an awards ceremony.

“My deepest gratitude and congratulations to everyone from the planning committee of GFA and SOGU, to the coaches, volunteers, parents, sponsors, and athletes,” said Frank Florig, President and CEO of Special Olympics Guam. “Without all mentioned, the Unified Soccer event and program in Guam would have been nothing more than a dream; because of all the hard work, planning, and training, yesterday’s dream is today’s reality. Thank you to all!”

The program and event was made possible with a financial grant from the AFC Dream Asia Football Cares program from the international organization’s Social Responsibility sector. GFA and Special Olympics Guam signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Oct. 4 detailing the creation of Unified Soccer in Guam.

In the Jamboree event’s awards ceremony, 31 athletes received medals in five classes:

Youth Athlete Class

Gold – Rashad Ruffin

Silver (tied) – Michael Aquino, Tano Manibusan

Bronze – Ava San Agustin

Elementary Class

Group A

Gold – Felix Mendiola

Silver – James Ruffin

Bronze – Joseph Blas

Group B

Gold – Kara Mendiola

Silver – Britanya Iba

Bronze – Brice Apuron

Middle School Class

Group A

Gold – Shanniyh Ruffin

Silver – Sheri Josha

Bronze – Jarrod Joshua

Group B

Gold – Conrad Iba

Silver – Chad Fajardo

Bronze – Joby Hill

High School Class

Group A

Gold – Kalae Torres

Silver – Welman Lava

Bronze – Santos Serrano

Group B

Gold (tied) – Georgina Sapanza, Trevor Joshua

Silver – Megan Lava

Group C

Gold – Joshua Nededog

Silver (tied) – Jacob Bast, Johanna Mendiola

Adult Class

Group A

Gold – Michael Reyes

Silver – Chris Mafnas

Bronze – Nic Dela Rosa

Group B

Gold – Rico Hill

Silver – Analyn Salas

Bronze – Donnie Harrell

The program and event will be offered annually for players, coaches, and volunteers.