The Importance Of A Soccer Tournament Organized By Nuevo...

A soccer tournament organized by Nuevo Amanecer took place in last days of May (21 May). The church partnered with Sports Outreach © in order to reach the Hispanic community and present the gospel message to a number of people. Observation of the Event The event started at nine o’clock, and I needed to be there by seven o’clock in order to set up the goalies in the three different fields. Right at this moment I began a meticulous observation of the staff and the volunteers. The staff was enthusiastic and glee, willing to give aid to any and all volunteers, and mainly composed of women. This curious observation bewildered me; not because women do not have the ability to organize, recruit, or lead three different soccer teams, not at all, instead, my perception of their role was automatically altered. I was not accustomed to watching strong, decisive women take control of a situation while being surrounded by hundreds of sweaty, shirtless men. Now, in Cuba this would have been a scandal. The patriarchal society dictates the manner in which things are done and the person who does such things. Furthermore, women disapprove of a man who cannot provide for the family and is unable to lead always, no matter the circumstances . Here, at this remote place (Lynchburg), were the women leading with firmness and precisely organizing an entire event, while the men sprinted from one location to the other trying to set everything in its proper place. The men, on the other hand, were very