Soccer unites minorities during International Student Organization’s tournament.
It was a perfect day to play soccer. By the end of the day, different teams compromising under represented students unite in order to form a big majority: soccer fans.
During the tournament organized by the International Student Organization (ISO) on April 9, at Auburn’s Intramural Fields, teams of different student organizations gathered at 10 a.m. to kick start a friendly soccer tournament whose primary target was to defeat the barriers imposed by race, language and customs using one common denominator: a soccer ball.
Since soccer is the most popular sport in the world, it was a clever idea from the student organization to tackle diversity using soccer as a language that people from around the world can communicate and express themselves without having to be actually speak a particular language.
The organization that governs soccer at professional level, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) recognizes 211 national associations, more member states than the UN.
A wide variety of soccer jerseys, cleats, flags and colors populated the soccer fields. Teams from China, Iran, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Africa, India, and even the Muslim team all participated in the tournament.
Goals, laughs and fun all formed part of the tournament. Besides being an event focused towards the minorities that compose the Auburn student body, it was an event open to all students, no matter the color of the skin or the background of the participant, soccer was open for everybody.
Celebrations, tension and triumphs from Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Africa and the Muslim team saw the tournament proceed to the second round. By noon, the ISO brought drinks and pizza to feed the participants before they played the semifinals of the tournament.
A clash between Saudi Arabia and the Muslim Student Association saw friends compete against each other in a match full of controversial decisions from the referee but, at the end, all were smiles and hugs after Saudi Arabia beat the MSA 6-3.
In the other tie, the African team demolished Vietnam, scoring six goals in 15 minutes. The game ended with the African team winning by mercy rule over the Vietnamese team. It was a hard thing to take since I also participated playing for the VSA.
The winner was decided between Africa and Saudi Arabia, with the African team winning 4-2. The tournament concluded with players from all teams cheering and hanging out at the soccer fields, talking to friends and adversaries.
John Parker, an Auburn student and member of the Vietnamese team said, “I think it was a lot of fun and a good day spent with a lot of organizations. Not only it is a good idea to blend different cultures and minorities, but it was necessary. People are proud to represent their organization, so it was healthy see them compete in an interactive way like soccer.”
When asked about what it meant to use soccer as a way to bridge the divides, Patricio Huerta, a Mexican student that participated with the Saudi Arabian team said, “As a Mexican representing the Saudi Arabian team, it was good to interact with people from a different culture. The fact that they invited me to play with them meant a lot to me because of the openness that they had towards me.” Huerta added, “I like how even when we don’t share the same cultures, we all share the same passion towards soccer.”
At the end of the day, opponents became friends, and teammates turned into solid soccer relationships that will surely participate in future events of the same caliber. The best strategy to counter attack racism and prejudice was with a shot on goal. Soccer breaks all types of walls.