International Soccer Tournament at EMU Sept. 12 seeks to inspire cultural awareness

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Aug. 19, 2015 - PRLog -- YPSILANTI – What is the world’s most international game? Soccer, of course.

The multi-cultural dimension of the planet’s most popular sport will be on full display during an international soccer tournament, to be held at Eastern Michigan University on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The third annual tournament, presented by the EMU College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of World Languages and the Ambassadorial & Consular Corps Liaison Office at EMU, will pit teams representing a variety of countries, drawing only upon amateur area players.

The event seeks to create an awareness of other cultures in the area, through the energy of competition as well as meeting competitors and fans off the field, says Betsy Morgan, coordinator of international initiatives for the College of Arts and Sciences.

“This tournament is as much an educational endeavor as a soccer competition,” Morgan said. “Call it a regional awakening – there are so many people from all around the world in southeast Michigan. We’re excited about the sense of empathy – call it otherness – that this event inspires. It should be a true international experience for the players, fans and everyone involved with the tournament.”

Competing teams with players from nations such as Macedonia, Spain, Germany, Syria, Iraq, the United Kingdom, the United States, Turkey and Greece will compete during the all-day tournament. All players are from the southeastern Michigan region, with Rochester Hills being the most distant hometown represented, Morgan said.

The event will match 11-person coed teams across four fields on the EMU campus. Games will be 40 minutes long, with a three-game guarantee as group winners advance to the knockout round.

The Ypsilanti International Festival will be held on Washington Street in downtown Ypsilanti that same day.

The team registration deadline is August 15. For more information, contact Jacob Maxwell at 734-474-5852 or email him at jmaxwe14@emich.edu.