soccer

In just over a week (November 1-4), the ECYD Cup will happen in Madrid where teams from ECYD clubs compete in sports. This tournament focuses on virtues and got a some encouragement from Roberto Carlos.

Roberto Carlos’ Video 

Roberto Carlos was a top soccer player, considered the “most offensive-minded left-back in the history of the game.” He played for Real Madrid from 1996-2007 and was on the Brazilian team in three World Cups. He greeted the ECYD Cup with a video.

In the video, he says, “Hello to all. This year the ECYD Cup will happen in Madrid from November 1^st through 4^th. I wish luck to all the athletes: a big hug to you all. Good bye and good luck!”

The values of the ECYD Cup  

400 Athletes will compete at the Highlands School El Encinar near Madrid in three age categories.

Fr. José Ignacio de la Barreda, LC, director of ECYD at the Highlands school, explains that “each of the categories will have its first, second and third place. In the same way, in soccer there will be a trophy for top scorer and top goalkeeper. In basketball there will be the similar trophies.”

Now, the most important thing about the ECYD Cup goes beyond athletic success. As Fr. José Ignacio explains, the most important thing that these teenagers are going to take home are the values that they live during these days: “Sportsmanship, fair play, companionship… Of course, we must also count on spiritual values, he continues, as the experience of charity or participation in the liturgical life.” Throughout these days, he reminded us, there will be a chapel at the competition on the José Caballero pavilion.

Nine rules in sport 

The ECYD Cup employs nine rules in Sport for competition. They hope that the boys and girls in the competition can follow them to live the Spirit of ECYD at the ECYD Cup.

These are:

1. Play clean above all.
2. In sports, there are no enemies, only rivals.
3. Basketball is not violence, but skill.
4. If you can make mistakes, so can the referee.
5. From the stands, everything looks easier.
6. Insults never increase the score.
7. If an opponent is hurt, fire the ball out of bounds.
8. Bad methods result in bad games.
9. There will always be someone who beats you. Accept it with sportsmanship.

You can read the original on Lo+RC, the Spanish Regnum Christi news site.