courtesy of: The Morning News
After the successful introduction of Panna ball in the different neighborhoods, the Aruba government has invited some professionals to give a presentation this weekend. This event called “Master of the Game” and will take place August 12, 13 14 and 15. It will be in combination with the Panna finals and a “Freestyle Soccer” clinic will given by the Dutch professionals.
Panna is derived from nutmeg. A nutmeg (Or tunnel) is a technique used in football or field hockey, in which a player plays the ball through an opponent’s legs. This can be whilst passing to another player, shooting or occasionally to carry on and retrieve it himself. However it is well accepted that the only “true” nutmeg involves retrieving the ball oneself after passing the ball through the opponent’s legs, ideally calling “nuts” or “megs” whilst doing so.
Performing a nutmeg is commonly seen as showing the opponent is lacking in footballing skill, and therefore amongst amateur players (particularly children) nutmegs are frequently tried so as to embarrass the opposition player and prove your own skill.
In recent times, the Panna has become prevalent in the highly regarded Dutch Street Football scene. The Panna itself is considered an ultimate humiliation and competitions are held for people to Out-Panna each other. For this reason many regard Dutch Street Footballers as the best exponents of the Panna.
The events kick off on August 12 in the parking lot of the Centro di Bario Playa Pabao from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Centro di Bario Noord from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. On August 13 the event takes place at the YMCA Dakota from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at Parke Jaburibari from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. On August 15 the event will be at the Arubus station in San Nicolas from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The main event will be on August 14 in the Caya Betico Croes on the parking lot next to the BID office Here, the “Master of the Game “event will take place, where two players vie against two other opponents on a 4 to 6 meter field. In three minutes time they must score as much goals as possible or play the ball between the opponent’s legs to win the game. Professional players present at this event will be among others Dutch Panna KO 2003 Champion and Spain 2004 Champion Dilshan Fong Kiki Musampa of Ajax and Manchester City, and Nordin Wouter of Ajax, Real Zaragoza, Watford, and Pannathinaikos.
The Master of the Game event and the Panna finals will be on August 14, in the Caya Betico Croes from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and afterwards the “Celebrity Panna Knock Out” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The celebrities who will participate are Minister of Sports Richard Visser, parliament members Paul Croes, Chris Damers and Juan David Yrausquin, and press members Nelson “Speed “ Andrade, Cherryldine Muller and Carl Michael Bikker. Well known football players participating are among others Jonathan Lake, Maurice Escalona and Ricky de Leca.
Everyone is invited to come and participate in the Master of the Game event and at the same time watch the professionals and our celebrities in full action.
Masters of the Game Dutch professionals participating in the Freestyle Soccer and Panna Knock Out on Aruba
