Empire wins annual Karen Community in Syracuse soccer tournament  

By Juma John Stephen

Emire Soccer Club celebrating their win over Buffalo Elites on Sunday at the CNYFSC

Empire Soccer Club are the champions of the Karen Community in Syracuse after beating the Buffalo Elites 3-5 goals on Sunday at the Central New York Family Sports Centre.

Empire started scoring with a penalty right at the 11^th minute of the game before Buffalo equalized at the 40^th minute of the game.

The second half was more competitive when the goals started flying in. Speaking to the Team Captain for Empire Soccer Club Lwehla after the game he said they believed in their skills and teamwork as they went into the game.

“We believed we had every chance to win the tournament. They (Buffalo) beat us in the group stages two goals to nil but we knew we can beat them and we did” Lwehla said, “Never give up was our motto. We are going to a party and it's our recovery time."

Lee Rou, the assistant Team Captain for Empire Soccer Club, said leaving in a refugee camp inspired him to work harder. "My dream is to have an opportunity to play at the highest level. We want to showcase our skills as a refugee to the world." Said Rou.

Pa-Lu is a Player-Coach for the Buffalo Elites soccer club established in 2017 to play in the Karen Community in Syracuse Annual games. Most of the players are high school and college students. Last year they were the runner up too.

I spoke to Pa-Lu before the game and he stated that "Our tactics is to play the ball quickly and pass well."  And added "Winning always feels good." Though he scored and gave an assist Buffalo Elites lost to Empire.

The Karen Community in Syracuse tournament is organized by the Karen Community in Syracuse, however, the chief organizer Sah Powah, the annual soccer event is meant for the people of Boma. The entry requirements are; the team has to have enough players and pay the $350 entry fee which helps in securing the venue ($2650 for two days) and food.

“The players are getting better, younger people now playing. The main goal of the tournament is to bring more people together, the youth and the community to know themselves and have fun.”  The 25-year-old Powah said "I am happy for the winners. I am also happy that the tournament went without any major injury. The players showed sportsmanship and we enjoyed soccer”

According to Eh Mwee, the Chairman of Karen Community in Syracuse, the games are getting better every year and the Thailand Refuges community is growing every year.

The entry fee for each team was $350 and there were 16 teams this year competing. Second place $1, 500 USD and the Champions get $3,500. The tournament will start again in the summer of 2020.