By Kim Dunbar

According to urban legend, the best remedy for a hangover is a taste of the very culprit responsible for your condition the next morning.  For those of you suffering from a FIFA World Cup soccer hangover, the Worcester World Cup might be just what the doctor ordered.

The 5th Annual Worcester World Cup will be held from August 13-15 at Foley Stadium and will offer soccer fans a fun, multicultural atmosphere much like that of this summer’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.  The tournament is sponsored by the Cultural Exchange Through Soccer, an organization created in 2003 to unite the diverse neighbors of Elm Park Community School using soccer as the common language.

“For the first few years, our focus was youth,” said event organizer Laura Suroviak. “When the hype around the FIFA World Cup in 2006 started, we realized that a similar tournament in Worcester would be a great way to further our goal.”

The Worcester World Cup is a family-friendly event meant to celebrate and embrace the city’s many different cultures.  Because of this, Suroviak said that the Cup has been well-received by both the community and city government of Worcester.

“Many events bring together a particular community. Our event draws members of most ethnics groups of the city, young and old,” she said.

Suroviak added that the Worcester World Cup is one of the largest, immigrant-based gatherings in Worcester.  The 2010 tournament is expected to draw teams from about 20 different countries.

Unlike the FIFA World Cup, Worcester’s weekend tournament is single elimination over four rounds.  In addition to the competitive adult soccer matches (for both men and women), the Worcester World Cup has a kids’ zone plus music and food from around the world.

“If you appreciate the most popular sport worldwide, like to eat authentic ethnic food from around the world at an affordable price, want to be part of a citywide movement for social justice, or are just looking for a weekend-long, affordable, family-friendly event, then the Worcester World Cup is for you,” Suroviak said.

For more information on how to get involved, contact
WorcesterWC@gmail.com or call 508.963.2394.