In Tajikistan, Argentine priests devise a soccer apostolate

Published: 2006-07-10

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (CNS) -- The Argentine team may have been eliminated in the World Cup quarterfinals in Germany, but that did not stop people from watching "Argentina" compete in the stadium in Tajikistan's capital. The Argentine flag flew and the team wore the distinctive national team jerseys of white and sky blue, but the players all were Tajiks, 10-15 years old. Their soccer coaches were Catholic priests from Argentina, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Interest in the June 9-July 9 World Cup provided the backdrop for the priests' soccer apostolate. Every Sunday and Wednesday a whistle blown by a priest would start two teams, one wearing the Argentine uniform and the other that of a different country, battling for the ball and the chance to score. Dozens of fans cheered the youngsters at Aviator Stadium. Sometimes more than one game would be held at the same time. The regulars on the Argentine and opposing teams were 10 Catholic children of St. Joseph Parish, less than half a mile from the stadium. The priests hoped to pass on soccer skills instilled when they were youngsters in Argentina.

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