![Young boy and girl soccer players hold trophy cup aloft, celebrating a tournament victory.](/sites/g/files/wph2106/files/styles/landscape_wide_medium_636x358_/public/2024-06/Cadet%20cup%201.jpg.webp?itok=_2yDhn7b)
For the third year running, Council President Krekorian sponsored a Citywide Soccer Tournament with over 300 young people participating from 15 LAPD cadet programs and Community Safety Partnerships. This year’s first and second place winners were the A and B Teams of the Nickerson Gardens public housing complex, followed by the North Hollywood and Foothill Division cadet teams. The LAPD Community Safety Partnership at Nickerson Gardens is one of the most successful programs in the city for diverting disadvantaged youth from gang activity to healthy community engagement.
The tournament is held at the Whitsett Fields Park, a vast array of soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, and a lighted children’s play area with picnic tables and restrooms. Formerly an unimproved, gang-infested wasteland of dirt and rocks, Council President Krekorian championed its transformation into a vibrant sports complex for the use of the entire community.
![Council President Krekorian shakes hands with young soccer player.](/sites/g/files/wph2106/files/styles/default/public/2024-06/Cadet%20Cup%202.jpg.webp?itok=cmC8b9yl)