JEDDAH, 27 June — Many so-called “friendship games” among Filipino groups in the Kingdom are actually fought and the participants end up as foes.
But participants of the recently concluded “friendship game” among Maranao organizations in Jeddah attest that games were really played and friendships were strengthened.
“We and our families enjoyed,” said Rashid Mapunud, a coordinator of the Jeddah Ranao Basketball Club (JRBC), which organized the games at the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ).
Webb Pango, an engineer who was also a coordinator of the event, said the game brought back memories of the festivities at home. “It was indeed a big surprise for us,” he said, in an apparent reference to the Filipino tendency of confusing basketball with boxing.
Even Bobby P. Mapandi, a high-ranking official of the IPSJ and overall sports chairman of the organizing club, agrees: “It is indeed the most successful event, a one-of-a-kind event held by Maranao groups in the Kingdom.”
Mapandi said they hope to continue holding similar “friendship games” with the aim of instilling among participants, supporters and children the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Some say there is no substitute for victory. But the meaning of victory in sports, as in life, is not limited to beating your opponent. You may win a game but if lose a friend, that is no victory at all,” he said.
The JRBC is part of the Association of Maranao Professionals in the Western Region, Saudi Arabia — a respected group within the big Maranao community in the region.
In the games, the Gray Team “Makkah Brothers” emerged as the champions after winning two of the Magic 4 fFinal games.
“As the champion team, we are proud and look forward to defend our title in the coming second phase of the Friendship Basketball games,: said Gray Team chief Agakhan Bantuas.
The Blue Team won second place, followed by the Red Team, and the Yellow Team.
Nine color teams of the JRBC participated in the games, which was co-hosted by the IPSJ.
