A soccer tournament was recently organized in North York, Ontario, by refugee agencies to help refugees from all over the world build connections.

The soccer tournament took place in North York last weekend, welcoming newcomers to Canada, helping them meet others, share experiences, and take a break from the stress of settling into a new country. The tournament was organized by the Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants, a group based in Toronto that supports refugees in the Greater Toronto Area.

The leader of Sojourn House, a shelter for refugees in the GTA, Francisco Vidal, shared that the soccer tournament is a great way to bring people together and encourage healthy living. The annual sporting event helps refugees feel better both mentally and physically. For those who are still waiting for their refugee claim hearing, the tournament gives them something positive to look forward to, helping them build friendships and feel part of a community.

The event offers all participants a chance to share their stories, connect with others, and find support when they need it most. Tenzin Khentse, who moved from India to Canada in 2021 and now works to protect young refugees from human trafficking, said the tournament helps take people’s minds off the stress of the refugee process. Since 2018, the coalition has held five tournaments. This year, for the first time, a group from Hamilton joined in to help refugees outside the Greater Toronto Area feel included.

Source: CBC, Yahoo News