4614(II)_"Basketball is our encounter and sharing"

53rd Don Bosco Youth Basketball Tournament

By Fr. Bosco Park, SDB

Gwangju, Korea, 14 January 2018 -- The 53rd edition of the Don Bosco Basketball Tournament in Gwangju was held in the days of January 12-14, 2018. The Youth event was organized by the Salesian community of the Postnovitiate and Aspirantate in Shin An Dong (Gwangju, Rector Fr. Park Bosco) traditionally during the winter holidays since last 1983.

This year the motto of the Tournament was 'Basket is our encounter and sharing' and the venue was at the Salesian High School in Il Gog Dong, Gwangju. Exactly 60 teams - 30 in the Bosco category (Senior high school) and other 30 teams in the Savio category (Junior high school) - all together about 600 young people competed for three full days in the spacious gymnasium of the school.

From the organization point of view this time the competition was in the tournament style, hence there was a fierce competition already from the registration moment, since each basketball match was practically already the 'Final' match for all participants and all did their best in each single minute of the game.

Thanks to the SDB community with the postnovices and the aspirants, thanks to the traditional 3-point shooting of Fr. Robert Falk, SDB (already 86 years young), thanks to the sacrificed work of many volunteers (organizers, referees, medical and support team) the whole youth event was characterized by many smiles, since everybody felt at home, like in the family.

The organizers are grateful to all who helped from the time of preparation until the last moment. Without major accident the whole Basketball Tournament went smooth and well also with the help of many sponsors, benefactors and all those who helped with their prayers.

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