Friday, June 9, 2006

Hailey hosts international soccer competition

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Tito Rivera, pastor of Ministerio Vida Abundante, shows us what a soccer ball looks like in advance of Saturday's fourth annual Festival de Futbol at Founders Field in Hailey. The event, featuring an international array of participants, coincides with World Cup soccer competition, which starts today in Germany. Photo by Willy Cook

The sport of soccer takes on an international flair in the Wood River Valley on Saturday as culturally diverse teams compete in the fourth annual Festival de Futbol at Founders Field in Hailey.

The event kicks off at noon and is expected to run until 7 p.m. Everyone is invited, there is no charge for admission and free food will be provided.

Event organizer Tito Rivera, pastor of Ministerio Vida Abundante, said teams are expected to participate representing cultures from Romania, France, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mexico, El Salvador, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Russia, Slovokia and the U.S.

Rivera said many of the teams are composed of Idaho residents. For instance, Romanian and French teams are from Sun Valley and a Dominican Republic team is from Twin Falls.

He said the event helps promote understanding by bringing culturally diverse groups together and helps make Idaho residents from foreign countries feel more at home.

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Large flags will be displayed for each nationality represented, trophies will be awarded and the winning team will receive matching soccer jerseys.

For the kids, pinatas will be hung and broken open at the rate of one per hour.

World Cup

The Festival de Futbol coincides with the World Cup soccer competition, which starts today in Germany.

British fans can watch their team's opening match against Paraguay at 7 a.m. Saturday on abc.

Mexico's first match is Sunday at 10 a.m. against Iran. That game can be seen also on abc.

The U.S. team plays its first match Monday at 10 a.m. against the Czech Republic. The game can be seen on ESPN2.

Match play will continue throughout the month of June and into early July. The championship game is scheduled for July 9 in Berlin.