Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon

Phillip M. Bennet coaches members of a basketball game during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3, 2016, at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney Okinawa, Japan. The Friendship Basketball event strengthened the relationship between Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members through a day of friendly competition. Students from Hamagawa Elementary School and Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa divided into combined teams to compete in four separate games. Bennett is a materials handler with the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan and is a California City, Calif., native.

Students with the Hamagawa Elementary School basketball team and Status of Forces Agreement children from Department of Defense Education Activity schools gathered for a Basketball Friendship event Dec. 3 on Camp Courtney.

The event brought Okinawa residents and SOFA members together through friendly competition.

“We organized this event to build the friendships,” said Satoru Sakumoto, a Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa youth sports recreation specialist. “Basketball is popular on and off base and we wanted to give the Okinawa students a chance to enjoy something familiar with someone different.”

The children divided into four teams and played in four separate games throughout the event.

“Because this is a friendship game, we divided the players into combined teams,” said Sakumoto, an Okinawa City, native. “This way, they can learn from each other and get to know each other.”

Service members and DOD contractors coached the MCCS sponsored event as parents cheered from the stands.

“Coaching today is a great way for me to give back to not just the military community, but the Okinawa community as a whole,” Staff Sgt. Jay Anderson, a Marine Corps Base Communications training center instructor with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific — Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. “Instilling teamwork and sportsmanship is something we have in common and we are enjoying doing just that. Participation from SOFA personnel and Okinawa residents is really important here.”

Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon

student from Hamagawa Elementary School attempts a free throw during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3, 2016, at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. The Marine Corps Community Services-sponsored event brought Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members together through friendly competition. During the games, students from Hamagawa Elementary School and Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa divided into combined teams to enjoy four separate basketball games.

At the end of each game, the players shook hands and congratulated the winning teams and took team photos together.

“We have all enjoyed coming on base and having fun with the American kids,” said Sawaka Kinjo, a Chatan, Okinawa, native. “We are observing fascinating cultural differences, but also enjoying similarities. We are all here to have fun and make friendships.”

As the day drew to a close, the students waved goodbye to each other as they went their separate ways.

“The hard work of the American volunteers from on base made this event happen,” said Kinjo. “Without their hard work and friendly spirit, this event wouldn’t have been possible. We are having lots of fun and hope to have our kids participate in these events in the future.”
 

Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon

Two students compete for possession of a ball during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3, 2016, at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. The Marine Corps Community Services-sponsored games provided Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members with an opportunity to build friendships through friendly competition. More than 56 students from Hamagawa Elementary School joined teams with students from Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa to compete in four separate games.

Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon

Families and students from Hamagawa Elementary School cheer on competitors and wave from the stands during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3 at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney Okinawa, Japan. The games allowed Okinawa residents to enter Camp Courtney and enjoy a day of friendly competition with families and students from Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa. The event is one of many hosted by Marine Corps Community Services that promotes physical wellbeing, friendship and community relations.