The University is participating in the Houston Genuine Cup, the world's largest inclusive soccer tournament

Eleven students from the University of Navarra, along with seven alumni, traveled to Houston to volunteer at the Genuine Cup, the world’s largest inclusive soccer tournament. This competition brought together soccer teams from 53 countries made up of people with intellectual and physical disabilities, combining sports with a strong emphasis on social inclusion. 

The university volunteers took on various roles throughout the week: some served as ambassadors, accompanying a team to games, field trips, and activities; others worked as event supervisors, responsible for conference proceedings and results; and the rest helped across the board with the organization of the tournament, in which 54 teams participated. 

María Luquin (4th year in Governance), from Pamplona, served as the Ecuadorian team’s ambassador throughout the week. She explains that as soon as she found out this “ project ” was going to take place, she couldn’t say no. “Seeing how much they enjoy themselves, how sports truly bring together the friendships they form. It’s incredible that even though they don’t understand each other’s language , that isn’t a barrier to cheering them on, congratulating them, and sharing in their joy,” she says. She’ll always remember the participants’ joy: “They were the most genuine and simple smiles I’ve ever seen.”

A platform for social change

Josu Escauriaza, former student from Economics and Law, was part of the tournament’s organizing team. For him, the competition is just the first step: “Soccer and the mega-tournament we’ve put together for fifty-four teams from fifty-three countries is merely a platform for raising awareness.” The real goal, he explains, goes beyond sports: “We can’t stop at just 1,000 people; we have to change entire societies, cultures, businesses, and governments.”

Escauriaza emphasizes the role of sports in this change: "We could do better; give these people more opportunities to integrate, to make friends, and to have a soccer team to play with every week."

Professor Ignacio Ferrero, from the School of Economics, has been coordinating the university students’ participation in the Genuine Cup for several years. For Ferrero, the experience goes far beyond the one-time “ volunteer activities ” event: “It financial aid s me personally and financial aid s the students to open their hearts and learn to love better,” he explains. In his view, “it’s worth continuing to promote this initiative so that, year after year, students can participate in this tournament where you always receive more than you give.”