Novazzano, Switzerland - the Universal Peace Federation of Ticino organized the first Peace Cup tournament in the town of Novazzano. This football tournament brought together 12 teams of children for a day of sports under the motto “Play Football Make Peace.”
The purpose of the tournament was to spend a day of fun together by sharing healthy values such as team-spirit, non-violence and non-discrimination. For the fulfillment of this purpose, 12 coaches not only taught the children how to play football but they were also good educators, conveying peaceful and loyal behavior to the children of their teams.
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At the end of the tournament the main prize was given to the team who best applied the values of
fair play and peace. The president of UPF-Ticino, Giuseppe Termine, invited the young participants to demonstrate excellence not only on the sports arena but also outside the sports environment, and so become true peace builders.
The participating teams were Melide (who won the tournament), Insubria, Ceresio, Campionese, LigaNova, Breganzona, Carona, Ligornetto, Coldrerio, Novazzano, Balerna girls, and Losone girls.
The “Peace Cup” was awarded by the UPF-committee to the Balerna girls' team, and the prize for “Olympic support” was given to the supporters of Ceresio. Concerning fair play and enthusiastic support, all of the teams and supporters would have deserved a prize!
The highlight of the tournament was the presence of the world-famous FIFA referee Massimo Busacca, who lives in Ticino and personally refereed the final game; he showed admirable patience in signing his autograph on almost 200 of the children’s UPF T-shirts.
Before handing over the “Peace Cup” and the other 12 trophies, Massimo Busacca told the participants that in his career as a referee he met many great champions, and that behind the success of every great champion there is duty, sacrifice, perseverance, will, sincerity, team spirit and respect for others.
The next “Peace Cup” tournament will take place in May 2012 in Novazzano.