Diplomatic Goals: US organization builds cultural bridges through football

World
Europe

02:54

At the World Cup -- it's all about competition. But football has a whole other goal at one organization outside Washington. As CGTN's Frances Kuo reports, its mission goes way beyond the game.

In many ways, this is a world away from the world cup. Children still learning the finesse of football, far from the pitch of elite players. Though these kids may not have the moves, but they all share the same fire for soccer.

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "These are not rich children, they have one skill that is special -- soccer."

They are part of "VIASOCCER"--a US-based organization founded by Sue Xueyan SU.

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "I want people who don't have the financial capacity to be able to experience the beauty of football and the world can bring to them."

That message became her mantra. She carried it all the way to Italy. That's where she convinced experienced football coaches to travel to her Chinese home town of Taicang to share their expertise with children.

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "Everybody just embraced the idea, and it started from there."

And from the beginning, this group of the Italian coaches.

FRANCESCO MONALDI ITALIAN FOOTBALL COACH "The commitment I see in the kids, in the Chinese kids. This kind of engagement and commitment is not so usual in Italian kids, we were really impressed."

DARIO MARCOLINI ITALIAN FOOTBALL COACH "They give us their heart, their passion, and this is the most beautiful part."

FRANCES KUO CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA "Sue has always been passionate about football, but it was one experience in Italy that truly changed the course of her life and led her to devote herself full-time to the sport."

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "A friend introduced me to that town. It was like a fairy tale."

The town was Macerata in central Italy. Where she visited for the first time six years ago. She found her calling when she stumbled upon a historical image.

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "It was Matteo Ricci, Matteo Ricci was the first Italian man that went to China and bring China a lot of Western culture."

Now Su has become a pioneer of her own. Three years since VIASOCCER launched.

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "Between these two cities, a few hundred people has visited each other."

And the connections extend beyond football. The children sharing their countries and cultures with each other.

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "What really touched my heart was when one Italian child, two actually, decided to study Chinese for their major when they grow up."

So long after the world cup is over. The plays on these pitches keep on delivering.

DARIO MARCOLINI ITALIAN FOOTBALL COACH "Soccer is the common language. You don't need to know English, Chinese or Italian. You can let the kids play, and they will grow."

SUE XUEYAN SU FOUNDER, VIASOCCER "I want to use this chance to open our hearts and minds together. That kind of impact on the next generation is powerful."

FRANCES KUO, CGTN, CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA.