PHILIPSBURG-Over 140 GEBE players and spectators headed to Curacao to participate in the bi-annual EDCI sports exchange between the utility companies of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba organized by Acualectra of Curacao as part of their 80 years desalination celebration. The games opened on October 24th with a spectacular opening ceremony and the lighting of the torch at the Sentro Deportivo Korsou sports arena followed by the soccer games. St. Maarten won its first game, but was defeated in the semi finals by Bonaire who went on to become champions.
Last Saturday opened with the domino competition which was won by Web Aruba, followed by Softball. Although GEBE won its softball game, a time delay cause by rain decided the winning team. The team with the most runs was crowned champion. That honor went to Aqualectra Production of Curacao.
The games continued on into the evening with life-sized Mens Erger Je Niet in which Aruba emerged as champions and GEBE sub champions, followed by bowling. The games officially closed on Sunday with a large family event and the award ceremony in which Aruba was presented with the rotating trophy as EDCI champions.
The GEBE team comprised of players from French St. Martin utility company EDF (Electricite de France) as well as from GEBE (St. Maarten, Saba and Statia). This is the first time officially that the players of EDF also participated as part of the GEBE team. The teams have been practicing weekly since May on Fridays and Sundays.
GEBE Managing Director, William Brooks, was also in attendance to support the GEBE team. He thanked the GEBE Sports Committee, the GEBE players and supporters for their participation and support. "I am honored to announce that NV GEBE will be hosting the EDCI games in 2010 in St. Maarten as part of our 50 years anniversary celebration. I am confident in our Sports Committee that we will be able to exceed expectations set by this year's games."
The GEBE Sports Committee headed by President Clifford Sasso had been working for months on all the preparations for the team and spectators to attend. Sassso thanked all of the committee and subcommittee members for their dedication and hard work. He also thanked the players, because without them there would be no sports exchange. The players were invited to a thank you cocktail to be held shortly. He will be relying on them in the preparations for 2010 when the games are held in St. Maarten. "We are looking to learn from the challenges experienced in Curacao and show how it is done St. Maarten style. It is going to be the bomb!
