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LEICESTER'S VERY OWN WORLD CUP KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND

Wednesday June 2nd 2010

Refugee footballers from across the world join local players for international tournament.

REFUGEE footballers from across the world, including footballers who played for teams in their own countries, will join local players for Leicester's International Football Tournament this Saturday (5th June).

People who have fled persecution will play alongside British footballers, as part of the citys Refugee Week celebrations (14th - 20th June).

The twenty-six teams taking part in the six-a-side tournament will include the title-holders, the Iraqi-Kurdish team Azadi, Mandela FC - a mixed team which is a Leicestershire Sunday League side, Afghan International, Leicester Zimbabwe FC, Leicestershire Constabulary and Leicestershire Congolese Mutual Group. There is also an all-women side who are called Golden Girls.

Omed Taher, the coach for Azadi, said: "The International Football Tournament is one of the highlights in our football calendar and we are confident we will win again. I have a strong side with good players. Azadi has been running for eight years and we have around 40 members.

"Saturday should be an exciting tournament and we are really looking forward to it!"

Muzi Sibanda, who is involved in organising the football tournament, said: "Refugee Week is all about bringing people together from all different backgrounds. This year we've got 26 teams taking part, including a women's team, which is excellent. There will also be fun day events for the family, with musicians, artists and food, so this is a day for everyone."

The event is organised by Refugee Action and supported by Refugee Action, Leicester City Council and others.

Amanda Soragan, the manager of Refugee Action in Leicester, said: Anyone excited about the World Cup should get down to Leicester's International Football Tournament this Sunday where our own mini world cup will be taking place. Football crosses language and cultural barriers and brings people together. We are expecting an exciting tournament again this year and can't wait to kick it off."

The International Football Tournament will take place at St Margarets Pastures Sports Centre, St Margarets Way, Leicester, LE1 3EA between 10am and 5pm.

ENDS

Contacts:

For more information, or to request an interview with a player or organiser or photographs, please contact: Julia Ravenscroft, Press Officer, on 0161 831 5454/ 07771 748 159 or juliar@refugee-action.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

• Refugee Week
  Refugee Week (June 14 -20 2010) is a countrywide programme of events including concerts, film screenings, debates and exhibitions that celebrate the UK's history of providing sanctuary to people fleeing human rights abuses and their contribution to the UK.
  
  Refugee Week is an initiative supported by charities including Amnesty International, The Children's Society, The Red Cross, Refugee Action and Oxfam.
  
  Refugee Week seeks to raise awareness of the reasons refugees come to the UK and the reality of their lives here.
  
  www.refugeeweek.org.uk
  
• Refugee Action
  Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement, and deal with some 40,000 enquiries from refugees and asylum seekers each year. As one of the country's leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 28 years experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.
  
  www.refugee-action.org.uk

Media coverage:

• BBC East Midlands Today
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicester

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