BARTRAM’S FIELD HOSTS ANNUAL AFRICARIBE SOCCER TOURNAMENT TO PROMOTE VIOLENT PREVENTION AND PREVENTION IN SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA

November 10, 2025/Globe Times Staff

As the city of Philadelphia continues to grapple with the devastating impact of gun violence, young people, who are the main victims, need innovative and community-centered interventions that offer them alternative paths. Since January 2025, the city has recorded 7,643 incidents, including 141 homicides (Philadelphia Police Department). For the past six years, the Coalition of African Communities (AFRICOM) has provided community-driven activities to address this need focusing on African and Caribbean immigrant communities.

On August 1- 3, 2025, the coalition hosted the annual health fair and soccer tournament as part of its Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program with funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crimes and Delinquency (PCCD). The powerful weekend event brought together over 355 teenagers, young adults and communities from Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, and Delaware counties. Ten countries: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Togo faced off at Bartram’s Field in Southwest Philadelphia. The tournament culminated with a thrilling final game in which Côte d’Ivoire defeated Sudan.

The tournament was special not just because of the level of competitiveness and athleticism, but also because of the spirit of friendship and unity that unfolded on the field. Over the years, AFRICOM has used soccer to bring communities together, advance civic engagements, and foster leadership development.

Matilda Sawie, Project Officer, AFRICOM