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By Teena Monteleone

Global Game

PAYSA waiving soccer fees for Ukrainian refugee children

Jul 2, 2022 | 1:58 PM

The Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association (PAYSA) is hoping the game of soccer will help make a new life in Canada an easier transition for Ukrainian refugees.

A total of 13 families are expected to call the city home and PAYSA president Nnamdi Ndubuka said all the eligible Ukrainian children will be offered free registration to the soccer program for the 2022-2023 year.

“Soccer has been used as a tool to promote unity. It’s a common language that many parts of the world speak,” said Ndubuka. “I myself am Nigerian and soccer is big in our country, and we use it to teach our kids a lot of things like mutual respect, accountability, teamwork and discipline. These are the types of things soccer gives us an opportunity to build upon.”

In addition to the free access to the program, Ukrainain refugee children will also get training kits which include jerseys, shorts and socks.

“That will help them to at least settle easily within our community in Prince Albert and we feel this is the right thing to do to support the plight of Ukrainians,” said Ndubuka.

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He commended the board for making the decision and thanked the volunteers and coaches for continuing to support the organization.

“We hope they will continue to reach out to the newcomers and support them to settle easily within our community,” he said.

Registration for indoor soccer takes place Sept. 6 and 7 at the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow