Soccer tournament a distraction for players with ties to war-torn countries: Coach

One of Edmonton's largest soccer tournaments is now underway with nearly two-dozen countries being represented. CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa has the story.

More than 23 countries are represented at one of the biggest soccer tournaments in Edmonton – the Mini World Cup and Heritage Cup – with last year’s winning team focusing on camaraderie and sport, while worried about those back home in the country they represent.

Like many players on his team, Moe Teliani scans his phone for news and videos of the war in Lebanon. He says every day the country is being bombed.

“There’s always something in the back of everybody’s mind, in their chest, everything is a little bit heavier this time around given what’s going on,” Teliani said. “We try to find solace in the sport of soccer.”

The 33-year-old is the men’s head coach for Team Lebanon, which won the indoor soccer tournament hosted by the Edmonton District Soccer Association (EDSA) last year.

Teliani’s parents are Lebanese immigrants that came to Canada more than 40 years ago.

Players on his team, ranging in age from 16 to late 30s, all have ties back in Lebanon.

“They’ve all felt the effects of what’s going on,” Teliani told CTV News Edmonton on Friday. “They all have family members back home, and they sit and tell me some of the stories where they’re getting messages … (and) there was a notification or evacuation order at a nearby town.”

The EDSA has held the soccer tournament for more than 30 years. Several countries represented at the Mini World Cup, like Lebanon, are currently at war, including Ukraine, Iran and Sudan.

The sporting event is providing a much-needed distraction for the players.

“The fact that we’re able to all come together and play a game – yes, against one another – but at the end of it all, we all shake hands and we move on,” Teliani said. “We all feel for one another.”

He says more than a thousand fans of all ages and backgrounds come to watch the games at the South Soccer Centre in Edmonton. Some are even inspired to take up the sport later.

“You have crowds across all the countries that come out and support,” Teliani explained. “It’s a really, really nice environment to be in.”

The Mini World Cup and Heritage Cup wraps up on April 9.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa