multicultural soccer baseball tournament in charlottetown brings communities together through sport
2 minute read
nathaly munoz, president of the latino association of p.e.i., holds her son, malakai munoz, during the multicultural friendship soccer baseball tournament in charlottetown. the event brought together people from several cultural communities.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
with the fifa club world cup underway, several cultural communities in prince edward island decided now was the time for a friendly soccer baseball tournament aimed at building connections and celebrating diversity.
the multicultural friendship soccer baseball tournament brought together teams representing the chinese, latino and black communities, with many participants trying the sport for the first time.
jen du, representing the chinese society of p.e.i., said the tournament was partly inspired by the international soccer tournament while also serving as another opportunity for multicultural groups to connect.
“now it’s the world cup, right? so this is kind of like the theme will be soccer baseball,” she said.
participants take part in the multicultural friendship soccer baseball tournament in charlottetown. the event brought together members of the chinese, latino, black and other cultural communities for a day of friendly competition.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
strengthening relationships
du said the participating cultural organizations regularly organize activities together, including a community garden, to strengthen relationships among newcomers and longtime islanders.
“once in a while we’re gathering together and for different communities, we could kind of share some ideas and enjoy living in this beautiful second hometown,” she said.
she said the chinese society fielded a team of more than 10 players and volunteers, with participants ranging from younger members to older adults.
“it’s going to be so much fun,” she said ahead of the game.
members of several multicultural communities in p.e.i. take part in a soccer baseball game during the multicultural friendship soccer baseball tournament in charlottetown.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
‘anyone can play’
event organizer nathaly munoz said soccer baseball was chosen because it is easy to learn and allows people of all ages and backgrounds to participate.
“a lot … most of the people that are playing right now, they’ve never played soccer baseball before,” she said. “the reason we chose soccer baseball is because it’s not too difficult to play. anyone can play.”
munoz said the event was less about competition and more about bringing people together.
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“it’s basically just an event to get people together from different cultures and learn about each other, play a sport, get some activity out there, and get some sun,” she said.
nathaly munoz, president of the latino association of p.e.i., explains the rules of soccer baseball before the start of the multicultural friendship soccer baseball tournament in charlottetown. organizers chose the game because it is easy to learn and encourages people of all ages to participate.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
she added that participants included members of the black, chinese and latino communities, with most players learning the rules during a practice session before the games began.
“for most of them, it is a first time playing soccer baseball, so it’s fun,” she said. “it’s fun to see how they’ve all caught on.”
uniquely canadian
as canada day approaches, du said events like the tournament help strengthen a sense of belonging among newcomers.
“everybody here, new canadians or not, newcomers, we feel like this is part of the community we belong to,” she said. “we love to bring some flavour to the culture here.”
jen du of the chinese society of p.e.i. gets ready to take part in the multicultural friendship soccer baseball tournament in charlottetown. the friendly event was held to bring together members of different cultural communities through sport.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
du said the integration of backgrounds in canada and p.e.i. aims for everyone to keep their unique cultures.
“it’s more like the salad. we don’t want to make smoothie,” she said.
munoz said the group is also preparing for upcoming latin festival events, including one in summerside on july 25 and another in charlottetown at beaconsfield on aug. 2.
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vivian ulinwa is a reporter for the guardian in prince edward island. she can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on x @vivian_ulinwa.
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