Santa Monica Sister City Association (SMSCA) President Joseph E. Deering, (left) gives a David Beckham Galaxy jersey to Santa Monica College President and Tournament Organizing Committee Chair, Dr. Chui Tsang during the International Youth Soccer Tournament's Kick-Off Reception at the Santa Monica Family YMCA on Sunday, March 1, 2009.
The tournament, which will be held July 28-31 at Santa Monica College, will bring together teams from Santa Monica Sister cities in Mexico, Germany, Japan and Italy and will provide opportunities for youth to exchange friendship through soccer games.
Under the leadership of SMC President Dr. Chui Tsang, and SMSCA President Joseph E. Deering, the tournament will invite youth teams from the following Santa Monica sister cities: Fujinomiya, Japan; Mazatlan, Mexico; Hamm, Germany; and Cassino/S'Entelia, Italy to compete with our local teams.
The motto of the Santa Monica Sister City Association is "Peace in the World - One Person at a Time." To fulfill former President Dwight D. Eisenhower's dream of "citizen diplomats" establishing peace with "people-to-people" contacts between countries, the Santa Monica Sister City Association aims to educate, foster and encourage youth from all over the world.