LOWELL, Mass.- The fifth annual ONE Lowell World Cup soccer tournament will take place August 6 & 7 at Cawley Stadium in Lowell. This year’s tournament will feature over 20 teams of local players representing their countries of origin. They will compete for the tournament championship, won in 2010 by Canada.
Countries represented include: Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Portugal, Romania, Somalia, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, and Vietnam.
Teams participating in the tournament are made up of immigrants and recent descendants of immigrants from countries on five continents, as well as teams representing the United States. The goal of the tournament is to bring together immigrants from diverse communities, along with native-born Americans, to foster better relations among people from different backgrounds. The tournament raises money for programming at ONE Lowell, a local non-profit offering citizenship classes, parent and student support, and other assistance for newcomers as they integrate into American life.
«The ONE Lowell World Cup is a huge venue for amateur soccer players in the area, and also reflects the diversity and athletic talent in our own community,» said Jessica Wilson, director of ONE Lowell. «It’s a great event that helps support children who are struggling in school, and provides a great family fun day for people in the Merrimack Valley.»
Josue Cisneros, the Tournament Manager, and a native of Guatemala, has been working closely with all of the teams to prepare for the event. «This is the biggest soccer tournament of the year, and all of our players are really excited and ready to go,» said Cisneros.
The event is very affordable. Tickets for the ONE Lowell World Cup are $5 per day. Matches start at 8:00am each day, with games and activities until 7 PM. For more information, go to http://www.onelowellsoccercup.org.
«I was part of the group that came up with this idea for this tournament. This is a great event for the community, where friends can come together,» says Pitou Phat, a ONE Lowell employee, and former professional soccer player in his native Cambodia.
The event also offers free kids games, a penalty kick competition for kids under 15, raffle of a flat screen TV and hundreds of dollars of Sports Authority merchandise, music, great international foods, and a beautiful outdoor location.
Team groupings will be decided at the «Draw» based on a random selection. The Draw will be held on July 31st at 4:30 pm at Garcia Brogan’s at 131 Middlesex St., Lowell. Managers, coaches, players, and fans will be on hand for this fun event.
The event is sponsored by: Liberty Mutual, Eastern Bank, Enterprise Bank, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, UGL Unnico, Middlesex Community College, and Market Basket.
About ONE Lowell
ONE Lowell is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the integration and self sufficiency of Lowell’s many immigrant newcomers. Proceeds from the
