The University of Central Arkansas will host the first statewide soccer tournament for Latinos on Oct. 8-9.
UCA Amigo Cup Soccer Challenge began in 2010 with six teams from the central Arkansas area. Due to the event’s huge success, the tournament was expanded this year to include Latino teams from across the state and Memphis. Eight men’s teams and four women’s teams will be competing in the tournament.
The tournament begins Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. and Sunday, Oct. 9 at 8 a.m. at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex located at the corner of Donaghey Avenue and Dave Ward Drive. The event is free and open to the public.
Organizers say the goals of the tournament are to provide a festive statewide event for Latinos and to showcase the City of Conway and the UCA campus in an effort to recruit Latino students to the university.
UCA officials wanted to create an event that will attract Latinos to campus and provide Latino families an opportunity to learn more about the value of a college education, said Gary Roberts, dean of students and chair of the Amigo Cup Challenge Committee. The Latino/Hispanic population is the fastest growing population in the state, increasing by 114 percent in the last ten years.
“As an institution of higher education, it is imperative that we reach out to this important, growing population in order to produce educated, productive taxpaying citizens,” Roberts said.
Cesar Aguilar, director of the Northwest Arkansas Soccer League, commended the university for its efforts.
“This tournament is great for our community because UCA is showing that it cares about the future of Latinos by providing an opportunity for a college education,” said Aguilar.
Manny Sepulveda, event co-coordinator, described the event as a soccer tournament and fiesta rolled into one. Authentic Hispanic traditional food will be sold during the tournament. There will be children’s activities scheduled throughout the day including face painting and rock climbing.
“This event demonstrates UCA’s commitment to and recognition of the Latino culture and their passion for soccer by sponsoring the only statewide Latino soccer championship,” he said.
