LANDOVER — Aisha Braveboy announced plans for a free two-day FIFA World Cup festival designed to bring international soccer excitement, cultural celebration and youth athletic development to Prince George’s County next month.
County officials and representatives from Eagle Sports Holdings unveiled plans for the Prince George’s County World Cup Festival, which will take place June 12 and June 13 at the Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex on Sheriff Road.
The event will feature a live World Cup watch party, entertainment, youth soccer competition and appearances by professional athletes and community leaders as county officials work to create a local World Cup experience despite the Washington region not hosting official tournament matches.
“This is an exciting time for Prince George’s County,” Braveboy said during the announcement. “We are hosting a massive two-day celebration of soccer, culture and community.”
Braveboy said the June 12 festival will include a live broadcast of the United States versus Paraguay FIFA World Cup match shown on large LED screens with concert-quality sound at the Sports and Learning Complex. Organizers encouraged residents to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the event.
The event will also feature food trucks, musical performances, halftime entertainment and appearances from professional athletes, sports legends and cultural influencers.
“This incredible event is 100 percent free to the public,” Braveboy said.
Festival activities will continue on June 13 with the “Prince George’s County Youth World Cup,” a youth soccer tournament led by Eagle Sports Holdings. Organizers said the competition will feature teams representing players’ countries of heritage and showcase the county’s international diversity.
David Okumale, managing partner of Eagle Sports Holdings, said the organization partnered with the county to create opportunities for youth athletes and expose them to careers in sports beyond playing professionally.
“What we’re doing is to consolidate the pathway so that youths can have a very seamless experience as they go through the sports development cycle,” Okumale said.
Okumale said Eagle Sports also mentors youth interested in fields such as sports medicine, athlete management and sports business, recognizing many athletes will not ultimately compete professionally.
He described the World Cup’s return to the United States as a “once in a generational opportunity” and said the festival is intended to bring a true World Cup atmosphere to Prince George’s County.
“So what we’re creating here with the county is a unique experience, a unique free experience for our youths, for our parents, for adults, for our visitors to come and experience what it is to be in a World Cup environment,” Okumale said.
Several prominent sports and business leaders attended the announcement, including former NBA player and University of Maryland standout Obinna Ekezie, investor and professional soccer team owner Mayowa Owolabi and representatives from Leonard Promotions, the boxing organization connected to the family of Sugar Ray Leonard.
Prince George’s Community College soccer coach Taya Akinbunyi also addressed the crowd, discussing the rapid growth of soccer throughout Prince George’s County over the past several decades.
Akinbunyi, a graduate of DuVal High School, Prince George’s Community College and Bowie State University, said the county has traditionally been known for football and basketball but is increasingly becoming recognized for soccer development as well.
He highlighted several local athletes who advanced to professional soccer careers, including Griffin Yow and Kristian Fletcher, as well as his son, Matai Akinmboni, who signed professionally with D.C. United at age 15 and now plays professionally in England.
“Soccer is a multicultural sport,” Akinbunyi said while discussing the county’s international diversity and the importance of making the event accessible to residents from all backgrounds.
During the announcement, Eagle Sports representatives presented Braveboy with a signed soccer jersey and commemorative soccer ball connected to former professional players and World Cup athletes.
When reporters asked whether the county viewed the festival as competition with Washington, D.C.’s World Cup events planned for the National Mall, Braveboy dismissed the suggestion.
“There is no competition,” Braveboy said. “Prince George’s County is the place to be for the World Cup.”
Braveboy also said the county plans to continue partnering with Eagle Sports on future soccer initiatives, including athletic development opportunities and possible soccer facility projects in the College Park area.
While Prince George’s County was not selected to host official World Cup matches, Braveboy said local officials remain focused on using the global event to celebrate the county’s diversity and strengthen youth sports opportunities.
“We love soccer here in Prince George’s County,” Braveboy said. “And we’re going to celebrate the way that we can celebrate.”
The Yaptain's Corner 
Leave a comment