Photos taken by Jenna Watson

A Kent African Student Association barbeque and soccer tournament will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Al Lease Park off Silver Meadows Drive in Kent.

KASA hosts a barbeque every year to welcome new African students to Kent State’s campus. This is its first year having a soccer tournament. The event is called Nothing but Net/BBQ.

“I noticed that most of the international male students would gather around and play soccer,” said Rumbie Mupinga, president of KASA, “So I thought, ‘Why not expand this?’”

Secretary Valerie Yuma, junior marketing major, said that this sport is very popular in many African countries.

“Soccer plays a really important role in Africa and can bring everyone together,” she said.

KASA is a student organization that represents people of African diaspora and helps spread awareness of the continent.

“We really want this to be a big organization and not just for Africans but for anyone who is interested,” she said.

Publicity Chair Shashawna Washington, sophomore fashion merchandising major, is the only KASA board member who wasn’t born in Africa. She said she still feels she can relate to her fellow board members.

“I think it helps me learn more about myself being African-American,” Washington said. “It’s a learning experience about myself with learning about the African culture.”

Many African cultural staples will be present at the event. From African music to traditional African dishes, Nothing but Net/ BBQ is going to display all the things that KASA represents.

“I’m very, very excited,” Yuma said. “It’s going to be a fun time.“

Contact Akilah Porter at aporte12.