PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The FIFA Women’s Globe Cup trophy got a whirlwind check out to Haiti on Saturday, but alternatively of becoming feted with a parade like in other nations it was only displayed for the duration of a little ceremony since of the country’s unrelenting violence.

Meant to inspire future female soccer talent, the trophy was surrounded by Haitian authorities, mainly males and a handful of ladies, like the goalkeeper of the national soccer group and the president of the women’s soccer federation, Monique André.

The trophy has specific significance in Haiti now since its women’s group certified in February for the FIFA Women’s Globe Cup finals for the initial time in the country’s history.

The group won its historic match a week right after a court overturned a lifetime ban against former Haitian soccer federation president Yves Jean-Bart more than allegations that he sexually abused female players, like minors. FIFA has appealed the selection of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Goalkeeper Kerly Théus, who plays for FC Miami, was the only member of the national group at the ceremony. “I have no words to express how delighted I am. It is a huge factor that we accomplished and we program to move forward,” she mentioned.

The trophy and an accompanying delegation have been escorted by police by means of a back gate of Haiti’s international airport to a nearby hotel for its presentation. It was a vital security measure in a city exactly where more than 60% of its locations are dominated by violent gangs, according to police.

The 19-inch (47-centimeter) trophy is a single that Milan Pierre-Jerome, a member of Haiti’s women’s soccer group, desires to win. She was born in Florida and is a student at George Mason University in Virginia. Her grandfather was Haitian, and her father played for Haiti’s soccer group.

“My dad was a pro, so ever due to the fact I was out of the womb, it was like, ‘You gotta play soccer,’” she mentioned with a laugh for the duration of a current telephone interview with The Linked Press.

She was 14 when she initial flew to Haiti for a two-week trial. A month later, she got named back and participated in her initial Haitian tournament at 15.

Pierre-Jerome recalled the day the national group won its way into the Globe Cup tournament with a two-1 victory more than Chile in February: “It was so emotional. I just recall crying, crying, crying. This is not a thing you can do every single day, qualifying for a Globe Cup.”

She celebrated by calling her father, who was unable to assistance Haiti qualify for the men’s Globe Cup in 1994.

“I did this for you!” she recalled telling him. “He apparently ran outdoors the property and down the street.”

The team’s win sparked jubilation across Haiti at a time when the nation is facing gang violence not observed in decades coupled with deepening poverty, widespread starvation and political instability.

So far this year, gangs have killed far more than 530 folks and kidnapped far more than 270 other folks, with worsening violence forcing at least 160,000 folks to flee their properties.

Provided the predicament, the win in February was a huge moment, mentioned Danielle Étienne, a member of Haiti’s soccer group and a student at Fordham University in New York.

“It requires away from all the damaging factors going on ideal now,” she mentioned in a current telephone interview. “It type of brings a tiny light.”

Étienne was born in the U.S. but her grandfather is from Haiti, and she nonetheless has family members right here.

“That win wasn’t just for the group. It was for the whole nation,” she mentioned. “There is worth in Haiti in spite of what may well be going on. There’s so considerably worth, so considerably worth. We’re going to bring the light back on that.”