MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Sara Ling, an ethnic Chin-Tedim playing for the all-girls Seattle team, "Klay Nay Law" which translates into Faster Than Lightning, poses for a portrait at the 2013 Northwest Communities of Burma Soccer Tournament at Wilson Playfields in Kent, on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013.
More than 600 people attended the Northwest Communities of Burma's annual soccer tournament over the weekend at the Wilson Playfields in Kent.
The participants, a total of 14 teams hailing from all over the Pacific Northwest, are immigrant refugees from the different ethnic groups of Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma.
Some of the ethnic groups represented are Karenni, Karen, Chin, Kachin, Shan and Burmese.
This weekend they made headway toward breaking barriers of religion, politics and generations of tribal dispute through one universal language: soccer.
The event was organized by Northwest Communities of Burma, a nonprofit organization, with the goal of bringing together all of the multiethnic groups and to build understanding and stronger communities through the sport.
The winner? The Seattle Karen team.
Some participants could been seen sporting Thanaka, a cultural face paint used by the Burmese and applied in various designs like makeup, which is commonly seen on women and children. It's a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made out of ground bark, and it provides a cooling sensation and provides protection from sunburn.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
From left to right: Hniar Ling, an ethnic Chin; Ah Tar, an ethnic Kachin; and Bae Reh, an ethnic Karenni, are the many faces of diversity playing at the 2013 Northwest Communities of Burma Soccer Tournament.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Clockwise from top left, Pau Lamh Mung, an ethnic Zomi; Lay Thoo, an ethnic Karen; Ning Aung, an ethnic Karenni; and Thang Bawi, an ethnic Chin, are the many faces of diversity playing at the 2013 Northwest Communities of Burma Soccer Tournament.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Lee Reh, left, an ethnic Karenni, holds his child, Lee K. April, 4 months old, as his wife, Klaw Meh, also an ethnic Karenni, with their nephew, Chit Oo, 5, bottom, as they watch a soccer game.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Thawng Pau, 19, an ethnic Chin-Syin, juggles a ball while waiting for his team, Washington United, to play.
MARCUS YAM / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Rosanna Fang, an NWCB volunteer and soccer coach, guides the all-girls Seattle team, "Klaw Naw Law," which means faster than lightning, during their match against the Spokane Girls team.
For more photos, visit the gallery.
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