Fair Play Cup 2013
Law Society Gardens, Blackhall place, Dublin 7
Sunday 16 June 2013
UNHCR Ireland and Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) were delighted to host the fourth Fair Play Football Cup on Sunday, 16 June, as part of their celebrations for World Refugee Day 2013.
The 7-a-side tournament, which was free to enter, featured teams drawn from refugee and community groups, direct provision centres, Government agencies and members of the media, with players from a host of different countries competing. In all, over 160 participants battled it out on the pitch with new team from Killarney, KASI, beating last year's winners SARI in a penalty shoot-out in the final.
In our work in multiple countries across the world, UNHCR has seen how sport can play a key role in helping to build understanding and respect among different communities. Enjoying sport together is a great way for people from different countries to get to know each other.
A love of soccer in particular unites people the world over and the Fair Play Football Cup is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the contribution of refugees to communities throughout Ireland and to learn more about refugees and the continued plight of millions of people worldwide, who have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge and protection.
There was also plenty of off-pitch entertainment to keep all the family entertained - football skills training, face painting, an art corner, bouncing castle, balloon modeller, hair-braiding, music, great food from across the world and much more.
UNHCR Ireland and SARI congratulate everyone involved for making it such a memorable day...Thanks also to the sun for making an appearance in the afternoon...and the rain for staying away until we had our finished the clean-up! Fair Play Football Cup 2013 RESULTS QF: SARI 3 Congo 0 Crosscare 0 Justice 1 Hot Press 0 ORAC 1 Hatch Hall 0 KASI 1 Semi finals: SARI 3 Justice 0 ORAC 0 KASI 1 Final: SARI 0 Kasi 0 KASI won 6-5 on penalties
See below for some snapshots from previous Fair Play Football Cup events: