Girls Soccer Game at “IRAO” stadium

On Sunday, April 6th 2008 over 56 ECA alumni gathered at IRAO stadium to watch the girl’s soccer game.
The idea of making girl’s soccer tournament was born at American Councils alumni resource center on a wonderful spring day when Alumni Coordinator Lana Chkhartishvili announced the upcoming boy’s soccer game. “I remember the sunny day when Lana called up Flex ’06 and ’07 boys and told them to sign up for the upcoming soccer tournament, everyone was so excited and happy to hear this wonderful news, suddenly sport spirit started to boil inside me and at the moment one interesting idea glimmered in my mind, why not planning girls soccer game among alumni, I rushed straight to Lana and asked her if possible to plan soccer game for girls as well. Lana as usually didn’t refuse to make this idea happen; she immediately grabbed another piece of paper and asked me to sign up willing candidates for the upcoming soccer game in March 2008. I was very excited and happy to join the organizing team for the upcoming football game, and now here we are at the IRAO stadium warming up for the important game, Flex ’07 against Flex 2000-2006 alumni. Weather is perfect and spirit is high” - said Nata Ghibradze ’07.  
Day really was very pleasant; more than expected numbers of alumni were gathered on the stadium to cheer their favorite Flex team.
Guga Sulakvelidze ’05 together with Jaba Shalamberidze ’07 was trying to keep Flex 2007 girl’s team’s spirit up and with numerous different examples tried to teach girls how to play the fair game. On the other side of the filed Flex 2000-2006 with the leadership of captain Mako Giorgadze ’05 were preparing for the important game; Mako was planning strategic actions to be taken from her team’s side and brought some important assignments for the team members. Game started at 3:30 PM both teams had enough time to exercise and get ready for the important game, in the beginning defense of the both teams seemed to be very strong, but after Nata Ghibradze’s full dedication Flex ’07 scored 2 goals in the opposite team’s gate. Spirit up replied Nini Abralava ’03 and after 15 minutes before the 1st break Nini scored 2 response goals in Flex ’07 team’s gate.
Cheering of both teams was so loud that it was hard to stay calm, enthusiasm and excitement from both sides was getting at the boiling point. Score 2:2 who would be the hero of the day, here we are Kristi Milorava Flex ’07 scored decisive goal of the day and the game was over. Alumni were very excited, one could see how alumni cheering for Flex ’07 team were hugging each other and enjoying the happy ending of the day, Mikheil Matcharadze ’07 replied: “I am very excited to be here, I have never seen girls playing soccer in Georgia, this is the first time and I think we should organize girls soccer more often.” 
Winner team was granted certificates of appreciation. Lana Chkhartishvili Flex alumni coordinator granted a medal to:
 Nata Ghibradze ’07 “The Best Player of the Day”
 Keti Chaduneli’ 07 “The Best Goalkeeper”,
 Kristi Milorava’07   “The Goal of the Day”
 Anna Kurdgelashvili ’07 – “Defense of the Day”
 Nini Abralava ’03 - Honorable Mention     

Overall the day was very nice and full of joy, Flex shook hands and promised to make the same activity again in near future. With the slogan “Chven Erti Chusti Vart” alumni decided to hold the chain of football tournaments for summer.
Go FLEX!