Langley’s International Festival being held at Douglas Park Aug. 23 starting at 7 p.m., will include a new initiative this year – an international mini-soccer tournament.

Adults from across Metro and Greater Vancouver representing more than 18 countries, including Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, India, Afghanistan, Africa, Spain, Germany, England, Ecuador, Fiji, Luxemburg, and Thailand will take part in the tournament.

Soccer tournament co-ordinator Jose Ingunza, who has played soccer since the age of 10 in his home country of Peru, says that he’s always had a passion for the sport. Since moving to Canada 15 years ago he continues to enjoy the game both as a spectator and player in a Saturday recreational league.

Ingunza has an appreciation for cultural heritage and a love of soccer. When he heard of the opportunity to create an inter-cultural soccer tournament for Langley’s International Festival, he was happy to get involved.

"The soccer tournament will have uniforms, standard rules, referees and a trophy donated by the Irish Heritage Society. It’s my hope that we can include a children’s tournament in the festival next year," says Ingunza.

Shar Dubas, International Festival Co-ordinator, says that the mini-soccer tournament ties in nicely with the goals of the festival, supported by Langley’s Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism Task Force. Its mandate is to focus on ways to create ongoing multiculturalism dialogue, awareness and education. Dubas says that support for this year’s event has been tremendous.

Someof the proceeds of the event will go to the Langley School District Foundation for their International Students program for the Karen Refugee students from Myanmar. For more information, visit the festival website at www.internationalfestival.ca.