2023 Eritrean North American Soccer Tournament

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Eritrean Canadian Association of Ontario Youth Soccer Club (ECAO YSC) is a not-for-profit recreational organization that has helped develop the children of this community toward good sportsmanship and carry-over values of athletic knowledge and skills. The organization strives to make soccer and other sports activities accessible to all children by working with other affiliated organizations and clubs that have similar objectives and ideals. It is a volunteer-based organization established since 2001 serving youth from the ages of 4 to 75 years old. ECAO YSC has produced countless stand-up athletes who are actively participating in high-level competitions representing clubs, schools, and universities in track and field, basketball, and soccer. Today we are organizing a team to participate in the North American Eritrean Soccer Tournament hosted in Denver Colorado from July 2nd to July 8th. This letter intends to seek sponsorship for our team, representing ECAO YSC, from individuals and business owners such as yourselves that will help offset the cost of travel, accommodations including flights, hotel, uniforms, registration etc. estimated to be $15,000-$20,000. The goal of this fundraiser is to at least offset 50% of the cost.

These boys are the first-generation children of immigrants that migrated from East Africa, more

specifically Eritrea. ECAO YSC has coached and raised these boys since they were 5 years of age. Growing up in the city cultural events and sporting events such as soccer has provided them with a sense of community as well as allowed them to be around people and clubs with similar athletic interest and backgrounds. Throughout their lives, they have been able to connect with one another on a weekly basis and our community has been adamant in providing healthy ways of learning and growing such as arts, education, volunteer work and sports.

Many of the players participating in the tournament are full-time post-secondary students who devote much of their time to their studies and cannot afford to participate on their own. This fundraiser will help our boys connect with Eritreans worldwide while playing the sport they love and grew up with and hopefully win the entire tournament.

THANK YOU!