2025-10-30, 11:17 AM - Word count:
When most clubs are spending their off-season letting their players rest and travel, Club Deportivo Tenochtitlan and Krung Thep FC have taken a different approach. One that blends culture with camaraderie and community.
Every off-season the two teams meet in Mexico City for a friendly and spirited game of Pok-a-tok, the ancient mesoamerican ball game. A game rooted in deep ritual and social significance. It’s far from a simple exhibition, the event has become an annual tradition since the teams were first formed for season 20 of the SSL. Its a game bringing together players, coaches, historians and fans in a celebration of sport and heritage.
Working hand in hand with historians, cultural researchers and the Mexican government both clubs have made it their mission to use this match as a platform for promoting awareness and appreciation for Mesoamerican history. The match raises funds for education programs focused on preserving indigenous culture, support for local charities across mexico and gives players a meaningful opportunity to connect with the roots of the region they'll represent with CD Tenochtitlan.
Starting with the second meeting in between season 21 and 22, the players and captains have started an unofficial wager. Every year the losing team’s captain must pay the tab for the winning teams dinner. What originally started as a joke between the teams has become a staple motivating factor, with both teams eager to win and earn a free dinner and both captains ready to push their team so they can keep their bank account full.
So far Tenochtitlan has dominated the series holding a commanding 2-0 lead over Krung Thep after winning the first two offseason matches. But thats changed after this off-season when after a heated and fast-paced showdown (and a flip of a coin) Krung Thep finally outmaneuvered Tenochtitlan under the warm lights of Mexico City’s historic ball court and won 18-14 after Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame managed to get a perfect hip check on the ball and sent into through the hoop and ending the game. Bringing the tally to 2-1 and marking Krung Theps first ever win in this cultural game and forcing Tenochtitlan's captain Dom to pick up the tab for a rowdy and expensive Krung Thep dinner in the heart of Mexico City.
Every off-season the two teams meet in Mexico City for a friendly and spirited game of Pok-a-tok, the ancient mesoamerican ball game. A game rooted in deep ritual and social significance. It’s far from a simple exhibition, the event has become an annual tradition since the teams were first formed for season 20 of the SSL. Its a game bringing together players, coaches, historians and fans in a celebration of sport and heritage.
Working hand in hand with historians, cultural researchers and the Mexican government both clubs have made it their mission to use this match as a platform for promoting awareness and appreciation for Mesoamerican history. The match raises funds for education programs focused on preserving indigenous culture, support for local charities across mexico and gives players a meaningful opportunity to connect with the roots of the region they'll represent with CD Tenochtitlan.
Starting with the second meeting in between season 21 and 22, the players and captains have started an unofficial wager. Every year the losing team’s captain must pay the tab for the winning teams dinner. What originally started as a joke between the teams has become a staple motivating factor, with both teams eager to win and earn a free dinner and both captains ready to push their team so they can keep their bank account full.
So far Tenochtitlan has dominated the series holding a commanding 2-0 lead over Krung Thep after winning the first two offseason matches. But thats changed after this off-season when after a heated and fast-paced showdown (and a flip of a coin) Krung Thep finally outmaneuvered Tenochtitlan under the warm lights of Mexico City’s historic ball court and won 18-14 after Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame managed to get a perfect hip check on the ball and sent into through the hoop and ending the game. Bringing the tally to 2-1 and marking Krung Theps first ever win in this cultural game and forcing Tenochtitlan's captain Dom to pick up the tab for a rowdy and expensive Krung Thep dinner in the heart of Mexico City.
![[Image: hw8ltMj.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/hw8ltMj.jpeg)
![[Image: lisfor-3.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/sDzJYqYM/lisfor-3.png)
