BARANGAY Umapad was crowned champion in the Mandaue-Japan Gateball Association Inter-Color Tournament at the Mandaue Bridge Park yesterday.
The champion team accumulated 13 points to defeat barangay Cubacub, which settled for first runner-up with nine points.
Barangays Opao wound up second runner-up followed by barangay Cabancalan.
Umapad took home the P3,000 top purse. Cubacub got P2,000, while Opao and Cabancalan received P1,000 and P500, respectively.
Trophies were also given to the top finishers.
Umapad pocketed an addition P1,500 cash after it won over the officers of Mandaue-Japan Gateball Association in an exhibition game.
The tournament attracted 22 teams from different barangays in Mandaue, featuring senior players aged 60 years old and above. A separate tournament is held for the youth.
The Mandaue-Japan Gateball Association holds two tournaments a year. Each team is composed of five players.
Boy Barz, president of the association, said tournament gives the elderly an avenue to maintain an active lifestyle.
“Our elderly also needs to enjoy sports,” said Barz.
Engr. Ricardo Mendoza, head of the Mandaue City Sports Commission, said the sport is becoming popular in other parts in the Visayas since it was introduced by a Japanese association several years ago.
“We also go out and introduce this sport to other LGUs in the northern and southern part of Cebu,” Mendoza said.