MRF Base Chapter:
USA ROK'ers
New Partnership between Ektelon and the Korea Racquetball Federation
Event Photo Gallery
On Sunday, 14 March 2010, during the closing awards ceremony for the Ansan Singles Racquetball Tournament in Ansan-Gu, Republic of Korea, it became official… Ektelon has expanded into Asia and is now the “Official Ball” of the Korean Racquetball Federation (KRF). Together, Ektelon, the KRF and the Korean racquetball community are embarking on a truly worthwhile relationship within Asia.
Finally an Ektelon dominated event in Korea!
The tournament’s closing ceremony was exciting. Players of Ektelon, the Military Racquetball Federation (MRF), USA ROK’ers, Korean clubs and the entire KRF staff observed the presentation of over $3,000 in Ektelon prizes and the signing of the contract by the KRF President Ms. Kyong Hee Rho. The signing of the contract is a great start to a new partnership between Ektelon and the KRF. KRF President Ms. Rho and Ektelon Military player Martin Kovacs stood before the crowd and formalized the relationship with the contract signing.
Cameras were flashing, people were cheering and clapping... it was a rewarding moment. Ektelon and the KRF have now launched into an international partnership which spans the globe. It was a great Ektelon weekend!
Ms. Kyong Hee Rho (KRF President) signs the Ektelon and KRF Racquetball contract
while Martin Kovacs, Mary Kwon and KRF staff observe.
Ektelon is thrilled about its future in the Republic of Korea and Asia. This is a great start. The Ektelon and the KRF relationship can now be best summed up in the Korean expression of “Kopshi Kopshi-da” or “We go together”. Ektelon is thrilled about its future in the Republic of Korea and Asia. This is a great start.
The Ektelon and the KRF relationship can now be best summed up in the Korean expression of
“Kopshi Kopshi-da” or “We go together”.
Its official!
 |
There is an enthusiastic group of US racquetball players in the Republic of Korea known as the “USA ROK’ers”. The USA ROK’ers participate in racquetball events and tournaments at US military installations and Korean athletic facilities across the Korean peninsula. |
 |
The USA ROK’ers is made up of members of the United States Armed Forces, Government civilian employees and other US citizens residing in Republic of Korea. We’ve come to represent the American racquetball players in the Republic of Korea and serve as ambassadors of our country, our military and the great sport of racquetball. |
 Some of the USA ROK’ers pictured with Korean friends at USAG-Humphreys: Back row - Mr. Jeff Hager, CSM (USA) Andres “Mike” Ortiz, SFC (USA) Martin “Lefty” Kovacs, CW2 (USA) Adolfo Martinez and MSG (USA) Darryl McClary; Front row - Mr. Rick Lewis and MAJ (USA Ret) Tim “Crash” Spann |
|
 CSM (USA) Andres “Mike” Ortiz and TSGT (USAF) Ricky “Flair” Villanueva getting warmed up at USAG-Humphreys, Pyongtaek. |
The goals of the USA ROK’ers are: · Work with our US (Ektelon, MRF, US Army FMWR, etc.) and the Korean Racquetball Federation to expand the sport of racquetball in the US Military community and throughout Korea. · Through sport, promote dialogue, understanding, trust, camaraderie and sportsmanship between all racquetball players in Korea through various events and activities. · Promote means and opportunities for individuals to come together and educate, develop and enhance their perspectives on international and cultural issues. |
 MAJ (USA Ret) Tim “Crash” Spann putting a little extra effort in at Songnam. |
The USA ROK’ers have been involved in the “national” racquetball scene for a few years and we have had some of great experiences. |
SFC (USA) Martin “Lefty” Kovacs with one of our Korean
friends at Mokpo. |
We have sponsored two Korea-US Forces Open Racquetball Tournaments at Camp Humphreys in Pyongtaek, Korea. Both events were highly successful bringing in all the top players from the Republic of Korea and US military. We look forward to next year’s event. |
Mr. Marco “On-Time” Garcia getting ready for his mixed
doubles match in Anyang. |
Racquetball tournaments in Korea normally run over a two day period. There are normally 100+ Korean players with USA ROK’ers participating. The formats vary from event to event but they are always fun and exciting. As with Korean culture, socializing is a big part of the event… food, drink and more food accompany each event. We have established close relationships with many of the Korean players and the tournaments become a sort of reunion. We continue to solicit more involvement from as many US players to these events as possible. The Korean players desire to test their skills against US players and enjoy the “international” competition. |
|
We are always looking for new members. We have members that depart Korea but stay engaged and follow our events. If you know a racquetball player coming to the Republic of Korea and may be interested in getting connected, have them contact us. They won’t regret it. Play racquetball! |
 Mr. Mark Salinas on the outdoor courts in Seoul. |
|
Contact Tim Spann at tspannn@kornet.net for more information |
|
To go back to Base Chapters page...[CLICK HERE]
