Festival Brings Global Sport To Local Community, Economy

By Allana Haynes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHON GARDNER AND ALLANA HAYNES

Sizzling temperatures couldn’t scorch the spirit of the World Cup Festival at the Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, June 12.

**County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy. PHOTO: ALLANA HAYNES**

Held by Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s Office and EagleSport Holdings, the event brought together residents to experience world-class soccer, local entertainment and family-friendly programming.

The event continued the following day with the Youth World Championship Tournament, where youth teams representing their countries of heritage competed in a dynamic showcase highlighting the county’s diversity, talent and global connections.

The event was free to the public; however, the county offset event costs by securing partnerships and corporate sponsorships ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 through the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation.

Braveboy said the event was a continuation of the county’s commitment to providing meaningful experiences for its residents that also stimulate the local economy.

“Prince George’s County is one of the most diverse communities in the country, and we are proud to embrace and celebrate that diversity,” she said in an earlier news release. “This is a joint opportunity to uplift our community while driving economic development. For years, residents have called for high-quality entertainment and sporting experiences right here in the county, and we are delivering on that promise.”

David Okhumale, Managing Partner for EagleSport said the tournament coming to the United States is a once-in-generation-moment that the county can place itself within.

“We are excited to partner with Prince George’s County to create an experience that brings families together, from cheering on the U.S. Men’s National Team to watching young players take the field in our youth tournament,” he said. “The long-term success of the game will be built in communities like ours, where future fans, players, and leaders first fall in love with soccer. [The Prince George’s County World Cup Festival] is about making sure our community is not just watching soccer’s future unfold but helping shape it. Free, in our backyard, and for everyone.”

More than three decades have passed since the FIFA World Cup was last held in the United States in 1994, according to FIFA. Featuring 104 matches, the tournament is holding 52 matches in 11 cities across the U.S.

**Former NBA star Obinna Ekezie. Ekezie now sits on the board at EagleSport Holdings. PHOTO: ALLANA HAYNES**

On June 12, the Wayne Curry Sports and Learning Center was transformed into a premiere destination for residents to enjoy a World Cup Watch Party featuring a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup’s USA vs. Paraguay match (displayed on giant LED screens with concert-quality sound).

The event featured live performances, local food offerings and appearances by local officials and professional athletes.

On that steamy evening, residents gathered on the field outside of the complex.

Met by high-energy dance music, lawn games and a variety of food trucks and vendors, they took their places on the field to cheer the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team.

Former Washington Wizards and University of Maryland Terrapins basketball player Obinna Ekezie posed for photographs with residents.

As an EagleSport partner who hosts youth basketball camps and clinics in the region, Ekezie attended the event to support youth sports in the county.

“I do a lot of work in sports development, and this is one of the first events we’re holding,” he said. “David and Tunde [Kehinde] are doing soccer and I’m doing basketball, but we’re all together.”

**Dascha Dorisma, owner of Queen’d Bijoux. PHOTO:** **ALLANA HAYNES**

Dascha Dorisma, owner of Queen’d Bijoux sold her authentic handcrafted African clothing, jewelry, sandals and waist beads at the event.

Dorisma said the event gave her the chance to showcase art from around the world.

“It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the sport that’s loved around the world and also an opportunity to showcase my brand,” she said.

**Roman Judon.** **PHOTO:** **ALLANA HAYNES**

Denise Jackson, of Baltimore, brought her 7-year-old grandson, Roman Judon to the event.

Jackson said she hopes the tournament exposes children to sports played around the world.

“We’ve got a lot of kids that come from this area that made it into professional sports, football, basketball, so why not have some of our talented kids who are from here play soccer,” she said. “[Soccer] is not an American sport, it’s an international sport and we need to be more internationally savvy.”

Roman, of Upper Marlboro, plays basketball, football and runs track at the sports and learning complex.

Sporting a United States Soccer Federation jersey, he said he was most looking forward to watching the game.

“I’m here to see America win,” he said.