By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 29: Following tight scrutiny on the organizers of the Vancouver International Soccer Festival (VISF) for inviting a Tibetan women’s team, they cut ties with British Columbia Soccer Association (BCSA).
Adri Hamael, the founder of tournament told CBC, “I do not see a point in staying a member. VISF’s core values are inclusion, respect and equality and by asking for a list of [the Tibetan players] while not requiring a list of all of our participants does not align with our values.”
The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) through BCSA had previously asked for all kinds of additional documents, including travel documents of the Tibetan players and a copy of the tournament rules.
They approached Hamael through an email stating that ‘non-compliance with the requests might affect the insurance status of the tournament.’
According to an official statement released by the BCSA, any tournament wishing to arrange exhibition games in Canada between their amateur team(s) and amateur teams from another National Association shall request permission in writing from Canada Soccer’s General Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of the proposed game.
“Canada Soccer shall have full power and authority to sanction or veto any such game,” said the statement.
However, Hamael protested that he was never asked to submit the names or travel documents of players on foreign teams in the past.
Assuring this year’s tournament to go on, he said, “We cannot wait to welcome all VISF athletes and guests regardless of their nationalities and backgrounds, whether they are affiliated or not — that’s why I created this event.”
The tournament is set to begin in July 7 and Tibetan women’s team will play with Team Canada in the opening match, which would be the debut tournament for the Tibetan women’s team on an international platform.
