“Shout out if you think your team will win!” On the morning of the 29th of last month at 10 a.m., multicultural teenagers gathered at the Korea Football Comprehensive Center in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, erupted in cheers of “Us!” and “Let’s go, our team!” in response to Kia Aid (Hope Friends Kia Aid) Chairman Choi Chang-nam. A total of 108 children from nine teams, each wearing matching jerseys and football cleats in vibrant colors like white, red, black, and green, were visibly excited ahead of their matches.
The event, titled the “2025 Migrant Background Children and Youth Football Tournament ‘Everyone’s Ground Shooting For Hope’,” was hosted by Kia Aid and the Korea Football Association Football Love Sharing Foundation. It aimed to provide an opportunity for children from diverse backgrounds—such as those from international marriages, Koryoin (ethnic Koreans from former Soviet states), or those who came to Korea due to their parents’ work—to interact. The Korea Football Association provided the venue, the Korea Football Comprehensive Center, free of charge.
At 12 p.m., the match between GVC FC and Hiut FC began. GVC FC, composed of Koryoin elementary school students from Cheongju, faced Hiut FC, a middle school team from Gyeongju. Despite the age difference, the teams were evenly matched. Coaches’ voices rose outside the pitch: “Pass here!” “Send it to the center!” Ayhan, 13, who defended the left flank for GVC FC, slid on the grass and scraped his left arm, requiring a bandage. “For today’s match, if the coach said I should do exactly 10 (drills), I would always do 2 or 3 more and train hard,” he said. Ayhan moved to Korea in 2012 when his parents found employment here. “Korea has better facilities and a cleaner environment,” he smiled, adding, “Actually, I am a Koryoin. Since Koreans were the original people here, it feels like I’ve come home.” His mother, Natalia, 39, said, “It was moving to see him play so passionately, even injuring himself for the team. I hope there will be more events like this for children with diverse migration backgrounds.”
Director Bae Seung-hyun, 47, who coached Legend FC—a team of Koryoin from Ansan—said, “Most of our players are from Russia. I hope this event helps them settle well in Korea.” Legend FC, formed in April for the tournament, defeated domestic youth team Golden FC 5:0. “It’s our first win since the team’s founding—it feels great!” Bae and the players exclaimed. Vladimir Kim, 23, a former multicultural youth who moved to Korea from Uzbekistan in 2010 and learned football from Bae, added, “Every goal scored gives the children great motivation. The environment is much better than when I started.” Kim began playing football in earnest in 2013, briefly joined the Uzbekistan national team, and attempted to enter Germany’s Premier League in 2017. He now plays for an ‘independent club’ Bae runs to help players make comebacks.
Around 1 p.m., the middle school match between Hiut FC and AFG Star FC took place. With taller players and more football experience, physical collisions were intense, and dribbles were faster. Midfielder Sasha, 15, of Hiut FC, who chose the number 10 in honor of his idol Messi, said, “It was tough against the Afghan team’s ace, but our teamwork helped us defend well.” Sasha moved to Korea in 2020 to join his parents, who work in a factory. “I’ll keep learning until I become a football player representing Korea,” he said.
Sponsors who supported Kia Aid’s multicultural youth programs also attended. Kim Geon, 29, who began sponsoring in January, explained, “I married my Russian wife, a campus couple (CC), in August. Thinking my child will soon live as a multicultural youth, it didn’t feel distant.” He added, “Sports break down psychological barriers, so events like this could help children adapt.”
The matches concluded around 4 p.m. Since the goal was not to rank teams, all 108 players received trophies and medals. Players grinned, biting their medals or showing them to photographing families. At a booth with messages for the children, phrases like “We cheer for you. We live together!” and “Let’s build everyone’s ground!” were written.
