World Refugee Day 2014 kicks into action with UNHCR/SARI Fair Play Football Cup
Brazil is not the only country that will see football action this month. On Sunday 15 June, UNHCR Ireland and Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) will be kicking off World Refugee Day 2014 with the fifth Fair Play Football Cup. The family friendly football tournament will be taking place in Dublin's Law Society gardens from 10.30am to 4pm.
The 7-a-side tournament will feature teams drawn from refugee and community groups, direct provision centres, NGOs and members of the media. Approximately 160 players from a host of different countries, including Angola, South Africa, Afghanistan, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Ireland, will compete in the competition.
The Fair Play Cup is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to celebrate the contribution of refugees in Irish communities and to learn more about refugees and the continued plight of millions of people throughout the world forced to flee their homes and seek refuge and protection.
Sophie Magennis, UNHCR Ireland Head of Office, said “this is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together who share a love of football and community”.
“The enthusiasm shown by the players and spectators on the day is always heart-lifting and it reminds us of the great contribution refugees make to the countries that offer them protection.”
Other entertainment at the free event will includes face painting, football skills training, music, and children’s circus provided by Dublin Community Circus.
The event will kick off a series of initiatives run by UNHCR and NGOs to mark World Refugee Day, including UNHCR Ireland’s book-reading campaign. The campaign will be taking place in libraries and bookshops nationwide from 16-28 June and will allow children and adults to explore the devastating impact of war on families by reading books that highlight refugee issues. Other initiatives include the ‘1 family torn apart by war is too many’ campaign which encourages the public and refugees to share their story on the webpage: http://stories.unhcr.org.
For a map and directions to the Law Society Gardens, please click here
For some snapshots from previous Fair Play Football Cup events, please click here and here
Note for editors:
Since 2001, World Refugee Day has been held every year on 20 June to celebrate the strength and courage of the more than 45 million people forced to flee their homes due to war or persecution; the solidarity of those countries, including Ireland, who assist refugees; and the contribution refugees make to countries around the world.
