City of Juarez announces second migrant soccer cup to happen next week
JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) -- The city of Juárez through its Sports Institute and Human Rights Department announced the second edition of the Copa América Migrante, or Migrant America Cup set to happen next Thursday, August 15 at 9:30 a.m.
The tournament will feature once again several countries who are currently staying at the city's migrant shelter Kiki Romero and at the federal government's shelter, called Leona Vicario.
According to the city's director of human rights, Santiago González, no migrants are participating for the second time. Most have already left Juárez and are either in the U.S. or back in their home countries.
This year's edition will now feature a tournament for migrant women as well.
"This migrant cup's objective is to promote sports and recreation among migrants in our city," said Juan Manuel Escalante, director of the city's Municipal Institute of Sports and Physical Culture.
Last year, the Venezuelan team representing the city's 'Kiki Romero' shelter won the tournament. Director González said, the city wants to win the championship again, since the migrants who recently arrived at the shelter ask where that trophy came from, and see it as an opportunity while they remain in Juárez.
This year's editions will feature men's and women's teams representing the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Around 50 people are set to participate in next week's 'Copa América Migrante.'
Once again both shelters ask for the community's help to donate soccer shoes or sneakers for the migrants, this is the main struggle they have right now.
Director González confirmed to ABC-7 that, currently, the city keeps seeing low numbers of migrants as shelters in the city are under 40% of their capacities.
If you would like to donate any type of sports shoes for the migrants playing in this tournament, you can contact the 'Dirección de Derechos Humanos' at +52 (656) 737 0000 or through their Facebook page.
