Husky World Cup brings cultures together

The International Student Organization (ISO) kick started this weekend with the highly anticipated Husky World Cup 2012. Starting at 8:30a.m. sharp, in the crisp morning light, 13 soccer teams consisting of UCONN students gathered to compete for the title, similar to different nations playing against each other in the famous World Cup soccer tournament. This is ISO’s second major event following the World Fest that occurred last spring semester. 

“[The World Fest] inspired me to create an activity, such as the Husky World Cup, where people from different cultures can interact and unite for a good cause,” stated Jaclyn Gina Getonga, the founder of ISO. 

Students of various ethnicities participated in the tournament and showed their love for their country by representing their cultural club or just naming their team after one. Several teams were even made up of people of different nationalities that worked together to win. “Husky World Cup allows the ISO and its mission to be heard,” Getonga said proudly. She elaborated that their goal is to represent the international society at UCONN through a unified voice and create global awareness. 

The non-profit event donated all the money raised to Kicks For Africa, a non-profit organization that collects old and used shoes for children in Africa. They previously held a donation event in March and successfully collected a large sum of 800 shoes. Chibby Nwanonyiri, the group’s Chief Organization Officer, represented the organization at the event. “I am very thankful for ISO’s contribution to this great cause.” He added, “We hope to collect enough funds to not only transport the shoes but also send representatives from the organization to aid the children.” They assist over 3,000 African children, mostly orphans, some of who were even kidnapped by the guerrilla leader Joseph Kony.  Kicks For Africa also worked alongside Ugandan NGO EPPOVAH over the summer and focused on district Gulu 17 to help and educate the children. 

Not only did students participate for a good cause, but they had a great time with free food and drinks. Local restaurants, such as Wings Over Storrs, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Dominos, were generous enough to donate lots of pizza, wings and other food for hungry players and their supporters. ISO also received necessary equipment for the soccer tournament such as tents and the soccer field, kindly donated by Community Outreach and The Recreational Center. “I like how it is well organized,” said Harrison Boyd, an international student from Sydney, Australia. Husky World Cup was well under control with the help of ISO as well as volunteers from Kappa Sigma and Alpha Phi Omega. 

The event raised funds through participation fees and T-shirt purchases, but just in case it wasn’t enough, the lovable Jonathan the Husky nuzzled admiring onlookers for donations. After a tiresome game, Rockwell Anyoha, a 5th semester BME major, enthusiastically commented, “I really like the event and how it represents a lot of cultures coming together as one. I’m glad to represent Africa and have fun with my friends for a good cause.”