Fundraiser tournament for murdered 17 year-old futsal player on Sunday

Toronto– A Popular Toronto-area futsal player Nerio Valdez, or perhaps better known in the futsal and soccer communities as ‘Esmeralda’ or ‘Negrito’, was tragically murdered last week when a cowardly group of thugs viciously attacked and shot him in northwestern Toronto. Valdez was only 17 years old.

It is only fitting that in honouring the boy, local futsal coach Lorenzo Redwood and others within the Spanish community are gathering together this Sunday to host a tournament fundraiser to assist the Valdez family with the funeral costs.

The event is taking place this Sunday August 9th at Firgrove Elementary School in the west Toronto region of Jane and Finch. The event will start at 10am and will end around 7pm. There will be two tournaments; an 11 a-side tournament that costs a mere $10 per player and there will also be a revised futsal tournament that will actually be played in a 4v4 format (The gym is smaller than regulation futsal which is why it is 4 a-side).The cost for that tournament will be $20 per player.

Many from the community have donated food and drink which will be on sale to raise additional funds and entertainment will be performed by musical artist Digidon, Nerio’s cousin.

“The tournament is a celebration of Nerio’s life and the response has been overwhelming and we just plan on honouring him through this as he loved playing soccer and futsal, so what better way to bring the community closer and showcase his life. We also plan on making this an annual event in his honour.” said Redwood.

Valdez grew up playing in FIFA and AMF leagues and tournaments in the Toronto area and was a regular with the always competitive Eloy Alfaro Boys team.

For more information on the event and how to contribute please call Lorenzo Redwood at 647 403 7106

futsalcanada.ca will provide a report on the event on Sunday and urges everyone in the region to come out and support the Valdez family and to celebrate Nerio’s life.

Schedule For Ismael Valdez Memorial Cup Tournament

GROUP A: INDOOR
D.I.M
Delfin
Emelec
Dep. Ecuador

GROUP B: INDOOR
Quito
Ecuador Impact
Eloy Alfaro
El Salvador

11:00 am D.I.M vs Delfin
11:25 am Emelec vs Dep Ecuador
11:50 am Quito vs Ecuador Impact
12:15pm Eloy Alfaro vs El Salvador

BREAK 12:30 – 1pm

1:00 pm D.I.M vs Dep Ecuador
1:25 pm Delfin vs Emelec
1:50 pm Quito vs El Salvador
2:15pm Ecuador Impact vs Eloy Alfaro
2:40 pm D.I.M vs Emelec
3:05 pm Delfin vs Dep Ecuador
3:30 pm Quito vs Eloy Alfaro
3:55 pm Ecuado Impact vs El Salvador

6:00 pm Winner of Group A vs Winner of Group B

OUTDOOR SCHEDULE
GROUP A
Eloy Alfaro
Manabi
Cruz Azul
Barcelona

GROUP B
Ecuador united
Perreira
Negro Pele
Chinameca

10:00 am Eloy Alfaro vs Manabi
10:35 am Cruz Azul vs Barcelona
11:10am Ecuador United vs Perreira
11:45 am Negro Pele vs Chinameca

BREAK FROM 12:30 – 1pm

1:00 pm Eloy ALfaro vs Barcelona
1:35 pm Manabi vs Cruz Azul
2:10 pm Ecuador United vs Chinameca
2:45 pm Perreira vs Negro Pele
3:20 pm Eloy Alfaro vs Cruz Azul
3:55 pm Manabi vs Barcelona
4:30 pm Ecuador United vs Negro Pele
5:05 pm Perreira vs Chinameca

6:45 pm Winner of group A vs Winner of Group B