Football unites people across borders and Norway Cup is an arena for bridge building and is a colorful unity as much as it is an international football play-off.
"It might be considered a drop in the ocean. But we are convinced that this drop makes a difference. Norwegian youth become more aware of the outside world through meetings with peers from different cultural, social backgrounds and children of different skin color. We see the effect through, among other things, the increase in numbers of friendship clubs," says the Secretary General of the cup Frode Kyvåg.
Long history
Norway Cup has attracted football enthusiasts from all over the world since 1972. Since then the cup has expanded into a global soccer festival where 430 participating teams have become more than 1500.
A girls' team in action. Photo: Pierre De Brisis/ MFA Norway
Ground breaking
With soccer at the core, Norway Cup is a pioneer in several areas. The tournament is a forerunner on aid projects involving sports as well as a cradle for gender equalization of soccer. At Ekebergsletta women have played soccer on an equal basis as men since the beginning in 1972.
Aid donor
In collaboration with Norwegian Football Association (NFF) Norway Cup runs aid projects in several developing countries. In the 1980s they started projects in both Tanzania and Kenya, where the objective was to inspire young people to take part in sport activities as well as to get them involved in other issues, such as combating AIDS. In 1995 a Palestinian team and an Israeli team played a match for the first time.
Recognition
Norway Cup has been presented with national as well as international awards. The cup has received the UEFA award (2002), Hjelpestikkerprisen (2001), UNICEF’s honourable prize (1995) and the Youths Peace Prize (1993).
International soccer tournament. Photo: Pierre De Brisis/ MFA Norway