AYSO lets everyone get in the act.

More than 2,000 pairs of feet will pound the ground during the 13th annual Kirk D. Banks Invitational Soccer Tournament.

There will be 164 teams - boys and girls ages 8 through 18 in Divisions 1 through 5 - competing in the event sponsored by the American Youth Soccer Organization.

"It has been three months in the making," said Ron Inouye, co-director of the tournament. "It has been a success because of the AYSO philosophy."

AYSO is based on sportsmanship and participation, not on a won-lost record. In the truest sense of team effort, the attitude of team players, coaches and parents can make a difference between a win or a loss.

"This year we are awarding points for good sportsmanship. We try to emphasize that. Winning is secondary," Inouye said. So the team with the most points won't necessarily win.

The invitational is in memory of Kirk D. Banks, a devoted soccer player who died in a car accident in 1983.

Banks was on the Kailua High School soccer team. He helped form the Ohana Soccer Club of Kailua in 1973 and the Oahu Women's soccer team in 1975. When Banks died, the family requested monetary donations be made to AYSO. The response was overwhelming.

"It was a wonderful way to remember Kirk," said Sara Banks, his sister.

The family never expected the tournament to continue as it did.

"We didn't even give it any thought," she said. "It was something that kind of just grew."

Who: More than 1,000 boys and girls ages 8 through 18, with 164 teams in five divisions.
Where: Kapiolani Park.
When: Through Sunday, with 82 soccer games daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"Everyone gets to play at least half-games regardless of their skills," he said. "We try to de-emphasize competitiveness and build a positive self-image and self-confidence."

Annette Cravalho coaches the Kaos Mililani 16-year-old boys' team. Her team has been playing in the tournament since they were 8 or 9 years old.

"If I didn't know them, I would think they're juvenile delinquents," Cravalho said. "But because I know them, I know they have really good hearts."

In this tournament, she said, "everyone has an opportunity and fair shake on the field. It's a good way to spend spring break and keep them busy."

Over the years, the tournament has evolved into the largest soccer event in the state.

"Initially, it was strictly an Oahu tournament with mostly boys. Today it involves all AYSO's 24 regions in the state," Inouye said. "More than 1,076 girls will play in 75 teams, and 1,247 boys will make up the other 87 teams."

Inouye has been involved in AYSO for more than 11 years. He took a week off from his job to make sure the tournament runs without a glitch.

"My greatest satisfaction is when I stand out there in the middle of the field and look around and see the kids playing, laughing, screaming and just having fun."