Fleeing danger to get their kicks in Grand Rapids

Sep 11, 2006
By Brad Edwards
GRAND RAPIDS-- On a no sun Sunday, at a park with a flag in the distance, there's a group at play, at practice. It's not just any group though.
There are individually and collectively special stories. They are part of the Oromo people, a group from war-torn Ethiopia often targeted by authorities there.
Targeted for detention, torture and in some cases killings, they and their families have fled here. Together the soccer team's name is Cilaalo. They number nearly 1,000 strong in Greater Grand Rapids. All have fled similar circumstances.
The team was once invited to a national amateur tournament and won. But frankly now, without a sponsor, they're too poor to play in tournaments.
But they'll practice on and most of all, they're just happy to play in a place they now think of as home.
For more information on Oromo, contact coach Abdul Mustafa at abdul321@msn.com
Source: http://www.woodtv.com/
TV Report available at www.woodtv.com/global/story.asp?s=5388581