The sport of soccer has long been known for its global influence and its ability to unite people of all backgrounds. That has never been more evident than this weekend when the Office of International Student Services (ISS) and the Pepperdine International Club plan to join forces as they kickoff the KICK intramural soccer tournament at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.
This Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. marks the 12th year the tournament has brought the Pepperdine international community together. The event will feature intramural teams from many different organizations in a fun-filled day of soccer and team-building.
Although the tournament is low-key and anyone may enter many competitive players will get to showcase their skills in the semifinal and championship round games if they advance that far.
“I’ve never been able to play because every year the event is during our tennis season and we usually have a match on the same day former Pepperdine tennis standout and Cairo, Egypt-native Omar Altmann said. I’m really looking forward to playing a full day of competitive soccer.”
Another bonus is that the ISS and the International Club will be serving grilled international foods to all team participants and soccer enthusiasts all Saturday long.
Many other schools have adopted similar events and it seems the KICK tournament is catching on. “I think sports have always been a great way to bring people of different countries backgrounds ideologies together so why not here at Pepperdine junior Sandy Weiss said. I think it’s a great idea and it’s getting more and more popular every year.”
The KICK tournament is one of the main events of the school year sponsored by both the ISS and the International Club. Together these organizations help promote the kind of school Pepperdine is.
“With the international focus of the school sports and the world in general I think it is suiting that we actually have an international club Weiss said. It is a great way to build connections and close gaps.”
