Keesler hosts international soccer play Published Dec. 2, 2008 By Susan Griggs Keesler News staff KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Exactly six months from today, Keesler hosts the 2009 Women's Armed Forces World Soccer Championship. Announcement of Keesler's selection as the host site for the Conseil International du Sport Militaire event was a thrill for the base organizers who've worked for many months to secure the event. "The CISM women's 'football' championship is a key part in our 'Renewing the Community' mission area," stated Brig. Gen. Greg Touhill, 81st Training Wing commander. "Not only does it give our Airmen training in operational planning and execution, it gives us the opportunity to show the world what a great base Keesler is and what a great home the Gulf Coast community presents." "I am excited to be a part of this event -- the CISM championship will put an international spotlight on Keesler and the Mississippi Gulf Coast region," said Brian Mooers, the wing's project officer for the 10-day tournament. "We have an excellent opportunity to showcase not only Keesler, but our surrounding communities as well." Lt. Col. Paul Valenzuela, former commander of the 81st Force Support Squadron, got the ball rolling after he received an e-mail soliciting bases to bid for the 2009 CISM events. "Knowing our interest in soccer, he contacted Lt. Col. George Budz (81st MissionSupport Group deputy commander) and me to see if we were interested in heading up the effort to apply to host the event," Mr. Mooers explained. "We met with area officials to get approval to host games at the Biloxi and Gulfport Sportsplex." "Then we developed a PowerPoint presentation highlighting on- and off-base amenities," he continued. "The selection committee liked it so much that it's being used as an example for other bases to follow when applying to host these events." Keesler was selected by the Air Force Sports Office to host the women's football (soccer) championship. A maximum of 10 teams can compete in the tournament. Mr. Mooers said in addition to the U.S. team, he's already expecting teams from Belgium, Germany, France and Canada. "The event is open to all of CISM's 138 member nations, so we could even see a team from China or South Korea, which would really be exciting," he pointed out. Mr. Mooers brings a passion and knowledge of soccer to Keesler's organizational efforts. "I started playing soccer for middle school in 1974, and I've been playing, coaching and refereeing the sport ever since," he remarked. "I'm a certified Grade 7 U.S. Soccer Federation referee upgrading to Grade 6 next year. I'm a member of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association refereeing at the collegiate level, and also I'm the vice president for the Mississippi Coast Soccer Referees Association which is affiliated with the Mississippi High School Activities Association -- we referee for Gulf Coast schools." Hosting a sports event of this magnitude will require strong support from the base, as well as from leaders and organizations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Air Force Sports provides the funding for the event. The total cost will be prorated among the four services. The top three expenses, according to Mr. Mooers, are lodging, food and local transportation to the sporting venues for the approximately 300 team members expected. Mr. Mooers heads an organizing committee of officials from across the base and area chambers of commerce to make the preparations run as smoothly as possible. He's recruiting Keesler volunteers to help in a variety of different capacities. Tanja Smith, Keesler's commercial sponsorship coordinator, is the special events project officer. She'll chair a committee that is responsible for planning and executing all the special events associated with the championship. "Each team in the tournament will be assigned an escort officer -- although not a requirement, we'll be looking for people that can speak the language of the team they are escorting," he pointed out. "We'll need people to work in the operations center - initially, it will be staffed 24 hours a day and later during normal duty hours. There are several events, such as the opening and closing ceremonies, award ceremonies and closing dinner that will require volunteers to make it happen." One event Mr. Mooers is excited about is Cultural Day. "This is our opportunity to share our Gulf Coast culture with all the participants," he said. "The planning committee will be working with all the area chambers of commerce to pull this off. We're still in the early planning stages, but I'd like to take the participants on a tour of local historical and cultural sites and end up in marina park or the Biloxi harbor for a crawfish or shrimp boil." For more information, call Mr. Mooers, 377-0123, or e-mail brian.mooers@keesler.af.mil.