Ebeye took a giant leap for women’s empowerment last week following the first-ever basketball competition for women between Father Hacker High School and Kwajalein Atoll High School at the Jabro Sports Complex.
Strict dress code enforced by traditional leaders prevented women from participating in the popular sport in the past — that changed when Iroojlaplap and Kwajalein Parliament Member Mike Kabua lifted the ban last year.
The new development attracted the neighboring high school Spartans team from the US Army Garrison at Kwajalein to join in the tournament.
The Kwajalein Day competition also marks the first time the lady Spartans from Kwajalein ever played on Ebeye, where most of its Ri Katak students hail from.
A competitive battle between Spartans and Seventh Day Adventist’s Shark Attack wowed the crowd Monday, which resulted in a Spartan victory over SDA 16-10.
Last week’s game between FHHS and KAHS ended with 12-3, with Hacker on top.