NATC-A advisors, interpreters hold soccer exhibition

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Vladimir Potapenko | Advisors and interpreters with the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron take part in an exhibition soccer match at the Kabul International Airport soccer field Dec. 30. Aiming to expand the relationship between advisors and interpreters, this is the first game in what many hope will become a monthly tradition.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

12.30.2010

Story by Vladimir Potapenko 

438th Air Expeditionary Wing

KABUL, Afghanistan - “We all love soccer. It’s an international sport that builds camaraderie,” said Tech. Sgt. Troy Bencke as the final minutes of the soccer game wound down, and that is why the advisors and interpreters for the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron played against one another on the soccer field of Kabul International Airport Dec. 30, he said.

Bencke, a hydraulic advisor with the 440th AEAS, organized the event as a way of deepening the bond between the advisors and interpreters, he said.

“We already have a good report, but this will only help (that relationship),” he said.

Without an official time clock and score loosely kept, the game was more of a scrimmage than Olympic contest, but for the nearly twenty players and spectators that took part in the match, it was more about fun and competition than anything else.

“This was fun, I just enjoyed it,” said Mohammed Jaweed Faqirazadar, a maintenance interpreter.

It was nice to get outside and spend time in a more unique way with those he sees every day, said Faqirazadar.

“It was great. We’ve never been able to do anything really fun with the interpreters; it’s usually all business around the office,” agreed Tech. Sgt. Darryl Guppy, a civil engineer advisor with the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group.

“The game may have meant bragging rights for some, but for most of us it was just a chance to come out and have fun,” said Guppy.

With the game considered a success by those involved, Bencke feels that there is room for expansion.

The soccer match should become a monthly or twice a month tradition, he said, with the ultimate goal having a match between an advisor and interpreter squad and a team of Afghan Air Force airmen.

But until then, Bencke and the rest of the match’s participants can rejoice in what Faqirazadar says best classifies the event: it was fun.

• Date Taken: 12.30.2010
• Date Posted: 12.31.2010 05:58
• Story ID: 62814
• Location: KABUL, AF