Michigan, USA – The season anticipated match-up of the best Chaldean basketball players under the age of eighteen squared off in Royal Oak, Michigan.  An intense ten weeks of competition, stunning play, and exciting action have led to the Chaldean Basketball final four in Michigan.  Yesterday’s playoff matches narrows the teams in Chaldean Church Sports League 2008 Basketball Championships down to the best two teams in the Chaldean Diocese located in Michigan.  The Chaldean Catholic diocese covers the eastern United States and brought together the best Chaldean basketball talent under the age of eighteen.

Michigan, USA - The Chaldean Church Sports League brings over nearly five hundred Chaldean athletes, fans, and organizers to the Royal Oak Gym each week.  Overcoming harsh sleet, snow, or ice the gym remains packed with players and supporters.  “I am so happy our church is doing this.  I look forward Sunday and can’t wait to see my team at church, says Maroki of St. Joseph Chaldean Church. 

Concluding week four and five of the thirteen week league, the teams are starting to find their sweet spots said Brian Alyas.  “Watching my brother play is nice.  It is good to see the team coming together.”  Team jitters seem to be falling to the wayside as players begin to be more consistent on the court.  Coach Derrick Dabbish of the St. George Dragon Slayers attributes teamwork to his team’s success.  “They are playing excellent.  Great hustle, excellent focus, and listening to the plays called by the coaches very well.”

George Kizy, St. Joseph’s Middle School Coach says, “I was proud of my guys they gave a valiant effort. St Thomas Team 2 had a fast team. We knew that from playing them just two weeks ago.”  St. Joseph’s Dominic Jemmoa came through with many key shots that kept the game close.  Julian Yacoub helped with impressive game rebounding and Savastian Jarbo defended marvelously. 

[To view photos of CCSL games please register.]

Michigan, USA - Below zero cold weather in Royal Oak, Michigan, could not stop over 500 Chaldeans as they gathered to jump-off the Chaldean Church Sports League 2008 indoor basketball season.  Six Chaldean churches in Michigan, each hosting three divisions of players, came together to prove their basketball skills. 

Hundreds of friends and family members cheered their teams on to victory as athletes sprinted down court, jammed jumpers, and popped threes from the outside.  The league is made-up of women 15-18, boys 11-14, and men 15-18 from the six Chaldean churches of southeast Michigan. 

“It was jammed packed!  I never saw so many Chaldeans in one place,” says Kenny Bajoka excitedly.  “You couldn’t move.  It was loud and exciting.  The women were great and the battle between the Twin Tigers and Dragon Slayers was deep.  I am real happy I came to watch.”

The women’s 15-18 division did provide a show for the fans.  Many underestimated the skill and focus of the Mar Addai Healers and the St. Joseph Protectors.  The see-saw competition kept fans jumping to their feet screaming for their teams.  In the end, the one point difference placed the lady Healers into the win column. 

(Registration on www.CHALDEAN.org is free and required to view the nearly 250 photos of the CCSL’s Basketball League Game 1 matches.) 

Michigan, USA - The cold winter months in Michigan may keep some Chaldeans indoor and lazily lounging around.  That is not the case for over two hundred Chaldeans that gathered at the Salter Gymnasium in Royal Oak, Michigan.  The large group of Chaldean men and women came out in large numbers for the first of three open sessions for the Chaldean under 18 open basketball tournament. 

The tournament organized and hosted by the Chaldean Church Sports League (CCSL) of Michigan returns after financing a very successful flag football and volleyball youth tournament.  This year the CCSL brings the Chaldean community both boys and girls basketball for both Chaldean boys and girls age 11-14 and 15 -18. 

The CCSL hold their next tryouts this Sunday, January 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Slater Gymnasium located at 10 and half and Campbell in Royal Oak, Michigan.  Tryouts are open to all Chaldeans between the ages of 11-18.  “Chaldeans just need to show-up at the gym.  We have coordinators there to get them registered, go over the rules, get forms signed, and get them on the court to show their stuff,” says Brenda Kouza, CCSL administrative assistant. 

Southfield, MICHIGAN - The Chaldean Church Sports League ended their summer season with electrifying excitement.  After the playoff games the best church teams in girls’ volleyball and boys flag football faced one another.  In the girls’ volleyball division, the Mother of God Guardian Angels played the St. Thomas Twin Tigers.  In the boys flag football division the St. Joseph Protectors took on the St. Thomas Twin Tigers. 

The championship volleyball game began first.  Both Mother of God and St. Thomas entered the sand court with stern determination.  Each team brought with them a cheering squad in the hundreds. 

(To view photos you must be a registered member of www.CHALDEAN.org.)

Michgian, USA - The southeast Michigan Chaldean Church Sports League prepares for their playoff games this Saturday, July 21, 2007.  The Chaldean Eparchy (Diocese) of Eastern United States has narrowed the four top performing church teams in the 18 and under category of girl’s volleyball and boy’s flag football. 

In the heart of Southeastern Michigan at the Southfield Municipal Civic and Sports Center hundreds and hundreds of Chaldeans gather to play, pray, and show their support.  The Chaldean church teams have been competing weekly for nearly two months.  Based on their win-loss record and total game point earnings the top four church teams qualified for the League playoff games. 

The CCSL is attracting a high level of talent and producing great competition.  The league features some of the best athletes in the Chaldean community as all-American high school athletes lead their respective church to victory on the field and on the sand court.

Michigan, USA - Chaldean agility, strength, speed, and finesse are showcased weekly in Southfield, Michigan.  A fifty-yard dash, a sand dive, a spike, ace, dig, and a “Hail Mary” touchdown pass are par for Chaldeans that meet and compete in the 2007 Chaldean Church Sports League. 

No helmets. No shoulder pads. No problem.  The Chaldean churches newest youth football league requires hardly any of the standard equipment associated with the sport.  A pair of shorts and a league-furnished jersey, along with a desire to have fun are about the only things needed to participate in the Chaldean Church Sports flag football league.

Over 100 Chaldeans from southeast Michigan get the opportunity to play each other throughout the day at the Southfield Civic Center.    The Chaldean Church Sports League features flag-football field and volleyball for Chaldean youth, eighteen years and younger.  The volleyball sand courts and flag football field come alive every Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. with spirited sports competition, prayer, and camaraderie.