Chennai girls beat USS Nimitz in football

Chennai:

The USS Nimitz may have done duty in many of America's military campaigns, but the crew of the world's largest nuclear powered aircraft carrier are no match for the girls of chennai when it comes to football.

In a friendly match played in the city, the Nimitz team lost to a team of school girls on the ships' last day in Chennai.

Many of the girls didn't have proper shoes but the sailors of the world's largest aircraft carrier were no match for the Chennai girls, who won 3-1.

"It's a happy and proud moment for us. This was possible only because of our teachers," said Hepsy, a student of the Monahan Girls School.

"The match was a little tough, but finally we managed to win," said another student Sukanya. "This will be an unforgettable win for us always."

In another part of the city it was the turn of hearing impaired children to entertain Nimitz volunteers with their dance and drama - a gesture that touched the visitors.

"The community service programme was a great way to strenghten ties between India and the US. It was fantastic," said Captain Mike Manazir, Commanding Officer, USS Nimitz.

"Hopefully I should be able to come back to Chennai here again to see the kind of progress the communities we served have made," said James Bayley, Nimitz volunteer.

"The kids were just thrilled, they became one with them," said Rebecca Doraipandian,
Headmistress, CSI School for the Deaf.

It was a beautiful experience of giving and receiving over the past few days ever since Nimitz docked in chennai. While the controversey over its arrival in Chennai may soon die down, members of its crew have certainly left an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of local communities here.