Football tournament raises vital funds for East Africa Famine Appeal

11 October 2011

Players representing local refugee communities in Blackburn unite over a common goal – to end poverty and famine

Victorious team at Blackburn YMCA's football tournament, raising money for the East Africa famine crisis

Saifeldin Nemir, Blackburn YMCA

Football has long been a way for people of different nationalities and backgrounds to come together over their shared love of the ‘beautiful game’ and on Sunday 9th October at Blackburn Rovers’ indoor stadium, Ewood Park, refugees from all over the world took part in a Cup of Nations five-a-side tournament to raise money for the desperately hungry people of East Africa.

Saifeldin Nemir, Project Coordinator for the Blackburn YMCA Refugee Empowerment Project, which helps refugees take an active part in community life explained: “Some of the refugees are from Africa and they feel it is their duty to support their fellow Africans. We want to raise knowledge and awareness about the drought in Africa and subsequently raise funds for the appeal.”

Teams from many local refugee communities participated, including players from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Iran, Congo and Afghanistan as well as a Kurdish squad. Blackburn YMCA and Eastern Europe were also represented, and even a team fielded by local heroes Blackburn Rovers, who lent their full support to the event.

Money for the appeal was raised through sponsorship and donations and the Somali team were the proud winners.

Further donations can be made securely through Y Care International’s website - www.ycareinternational.org/donate