For ISU international students, language can often be a barrier in forming friendships. With the World Soccer Tournament, headed up by the International Students and Scholars, students are trying to make the international language of sport help break down country lines.

The World Soccer Tournament, a soccer event taking place at the Memorial Union, is open to any ISU student who wishes to sign up. The only stipulation for entry is there must be one international and American student on each team – something representatives for International Students and Scholars hope will help spur on communication between people who don’t normally interact with each other. Getting more American students involved is also a focus of the committee’s efforts.

“We have contacted the coaches for [soccer] intramurals to get more American students to come out,” said Ka-lun Keung, senior in interior design and International Students and Scholars member.

Keung, an international student from Hong Kong, finds soccer to be the perfect choice to bring others together.

“People are surprised there are that many people that play soccer on campus until they come,” said Keung. “It’s my job, but also I like putting something out for the Iowa State public so they can enjoy it. Not many other jobs can do that.”

The opening ceremony for the tournament starts Thursday, which is free and open to the public. To encourage people to show up, free food will be provided, a guest speaker is featured and international entertainment acts are on display.

Hassan Burawi, International Students and Scholar member from Libya, said some of the entertainment acts during the opening ceremony include a lion dance, a traditional Malaysian dance and a Turkish dance. Burawi hopes the entertainment will open up people’s eyes.

“It’s just trying to get all these different countries in one room,” said Burawi, freshman in electrical engineering. “We are trying to help educate people.”

As the International Students and Scholars attempt to spread awareness about the event – the only event they take part in each year – Burawi said even those that don’t enjoy soccer can come to the tournament and find enjoyment in learning about people different from themselves.

“The tournament is a very good place to meet new people, to learn about different cultures and have a good game of soccer,” he said.

Mun Pun Wong, International Students and Scholars member and international student from Malaysia, finds their main goal of the tournament – friendship – has been very successful.

“There are a lot of international students involved,” said Wong, senior in mechanical engineering, “I’ve seen people from other countries form friendships.”

Wong said that 12 teams have signed up for the tournament and more than 10 different countries are represented, something he said is an improvement from last year. The most important thing, Wong said, is getting more diversity as the years go by.

As the World Soccer Tournament attempts to bridge international divides, it also seeks to represent both genders. Within the tournament, Wong said both same-sex and coed teams will play to win their own tournament. The winners receive a trophy and the second and third place winners receive medals.

Although the game of soccer can lead to intense rivalries and humiliating defeats, Keung finds everyone involved in the tournament wins, not just those holding trophies.

“You give [students] the platform and they may realize ‘hey, we’re not that much different from each other,'” he said.