With the Philadelphia International Unity Cup
By Bill Salvatore
I often see the single word “sports” posted on my social media timelines. It usually refers to a great play, an incredible ending, or something more powerful. It is said that sports can heal and unify. In Philadelphia, this occurs every year through the Philadelphia International Unity Cup.
Mayor Jim Kenney introduced the concept in early 2016 as a way to unite the numerous immigrant communities in and around the city. What began as a World Cup-style soccer tournament turned out to be so much more over the last few years.
A Strong Start
In the world of recreation, soccer tournaments are a dime a dozen. Very simply, teams gather, a schedule is set, the tournament is played, and a champion is crowned. The Unity Cup began in a similar fashion. The city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA)—a small group of three individuals who connect with immigrant communities daily—led the effort. The first surprise was that 91 people showed up for the initial information session. It was clear we were onto something big! Two additional meetings followed to round out the engagement process. We then developed a commitment letter for teams to reserve a spot in the tournament. On the day the letters were due, no fewer than 12 individuals were waiting for OIA to open its doors. Within three days, 32 teams were scheduled for the tournament.