CAMDEN – While basketball’s objective has remained unchanged in the roughly three decades that Robert Fisicaro has either played or coached the sport, he said other components of the sport have changed.
“This used to be an affordable game to play. But it has gotten so expensive,” Fisicaro said of basketball tournaments and clinics. He is the coach of the Gloucester County-based Crispin Park Basketball.
But, over the weekend at the Peace Games in Camden's Von Nieda Park, there was no charge for the youth participating in the clinics and tournaments in the eighth year of the event. The two-day event also offered free entertainment and food.
“These opportunities do not come along often,” Fisicaro said of the Peace Games.
Sponsor donations from businesses, community organizations and governments make the Peace Games possible, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen told participants before encouraging everyone to play a “good-old-fashioned game” of basketball.
“Let players play, coaches coach and referees ref,” said Glenn Jackson, a representative from Providing Alternative Resources for Kids, one of the main event sponsors.
Besides playing basketball and perhaps learning a new skill or two, organizers said they also hoped Peace Game participants understand the importance of becoming active community members.
“The Peace Games are a fun opportunity to see kids from all sections of the city play in a competition-building, community-building exercise,” said Camden Metro coach Brian Gregg of Camden. The team was made up of players who regularly participate in the Camden County Police Department’s open gyms.
“We understand the importance of coming together for peace and unity in the community,” said Antwann Postell, who brought his team, the Philly All-Americans, across the river to participate in the event. “Camden is Philly’s first cousin. It is important to come together and grow together through playing (basketball).”
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