What a Game: Refugee teams Battle it Out in Dadaab

FC Holan players pose for a team photo, in their replica Barcelona FC kit, at half-time. ; There are 264 active youth football clubs across all the four camps in Dadaab Refugee Complex: Ifo, Ifo 2, Dagahaley and Hagadera. These football clubs are managed by a well-structured and established youth sports executive committee which is a duly elected body composed of 8 to 15 members headed by a Sports Chairperson and his/ her deputy. Some of the sports committee members were trained by Sports Aid Africa in 2015 and are periodically engaged in sports capacity building training organised by the Tegla Loroupe Foundation (http://teglapeacefoundation.org/), an ‘international humanitarian charity founded by Tegla Loroupe, a renowned Kenyan international track and athletics icon’, to enhance their skills.
© UNHCR/B.Rono

Star United and FC Holan square it out in scintillating ‘Made in Dadaab’ football match!

It was really a game of two halves! The second half started on a high tempo from the lacklustre first half that had seen few and far-in-between chances.

Star United were the first to make their intentions clear when Issak dribbled past two Holan defenders to unleash a left footed shot that would have beaten the keeper had he not come off his line to deflect it to the side post. The ensuing corner found Nuh who could only but head it over the crossbar.

On the opposite end, Salah who had come up with exquisite step-overs earlier, went up for an overhead kick that had fans screaming in awe but the goalkeeper had it covered.

Abdi of Holan FC saw his shot deflected off the cross-bar and two minutes later Mohamed of Star United forced Aden to scramble a save that could have had the scoreboards tilted.

‘Refugees are talented in various sports’

The match which was held on 31 August 2017 ended on a 0-0 stalemate although both teams had come up with clear cut chances to score in regular time. The hot, dry and dusty morning could not dampen their determination to snatch the coveted Sports for Peace championship trophy!

‘This championship is part of the ongoing use of sports as a tool for peaceful coexistence and continued engagement of the Dadaab refugees,’ said Rex Mlotha, Associate Youth Officer in Dadaab.

Star United FC and FC Holan from Ifo Refugee Camp in Ifo battle for the ball in their championship match on Thursday, 31 August at Ifo 'stadium'.

A cross-section of fans that came to cheer their teams. ; There are 264 active youth football clubs across all the four camps in Dadaab Refugee Complex: Ifo, Ifo 2, Dagahaley and Hagadera. These football clubs are managed by a well-structured and established youth sports executive committee which is a duly elected body composed of 8 to 15 members headed by a Sports Chairperson and his/ her deputy. Some of the sports committee members were trained by Sports Aid Africa in 2015 and are periodically engaged in sports capacity building training organised by the Tegla Loroupe Foundation (http://teglapeacefoundation.org/), an ‘international humanitarian charity founded by Tegla Loroupe, a renowned Kenyan international track and athletics icon’, to enhance their skills.

Star United FC and FC Holan from Ifo Refugee Camp in Ifo battle for the ball in their championship match on Thursday, 31 August at Ifo 'stadium'. ; There are 264 active youth football clubs across all the four camps in Dadaab Refugee Complex: Ifo, Ifo 2, Dagahaley and Hagadera. These football clubs are managed by a well-structured and established youth sports executive committee which is a duly elected body composed of 8 to 15 members headed by a Sports Chairperson and his/ her deputy. Some of the sports committee members were trained by Sports Aid Africa in 2015 and are periodically engaged in sports capacity building training organised by the Tegla Loroupe Foundation (http://teglapeacefoundation.org/), an ‘international humanitarian charity founded by Tegla Loroupe, a renowned Kenyan international track and athletics icon’, to enhance their skills.

In a tense football match, the referee had to be on top of things and Roney was shown a yellow card for an off-the ball tackle.

And now it was on to penalty kicks! Each team selected five players to take the spot kicks.

Star United who were resplendent in their blue replica kit of the Portuguese national team selected Gusta, Ahmed, Issak, Nuh and Borow while Holan, in their lime green Barcelona replica kit, settled on Madey, Omar, Salah, Roney and Omar Aden.

The first 4 takers from each team scored their penalties and it seemed that the trend would continue until Borow stepped up to take his for Star United. His shot was aimed at the low right flank of the goal but Ahmed nicknamed ‘De Gea’ after the Manchester United lead goalkeeper was swift this time deflecting the ball with his right foot. It was now up to Roney. Score and Holan would win, miss and we would have sudden death kicks. He made no mistake! The top right hand corner it was and the keeper couldn’t get it.

And then there was pandemonium! When the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the match won by FC Holan, players and fans all mobbed their goalkeeper ‘De Gea’ who had become a hero. Holan FC were crowned Sports for Peace champions after beating Star United. The score? 5-4 on post-match penalties.

‘Sports enhances peaceful coexistence, especially in Ifo camp that has members from various communities.’

Both teams shook hands signifying sportsmanship and were each presented with new playing kit by UNHCR Associate Youth Officer, and the trophy presented by Dimitri Lermytte, UNV Program Officer, based in the capital Nairobi

‘Sports enhances peaceful coexistence, especially in Ifo camp that has members from various communities. We are keen as a sports committee create opportunities for youth to interact continually,’ said Abdi Aden Hussain, Ifo Youth Chairman.

Abdi explained that the biggest challenge they continually face is lack of adequate support material – playing kit, football boots and balls and funding to pay referees.

‘We have talented players in the camp who, if nurtured and given a chance can easily be scouted by teams in La Liga and the English Premier League,’ he reiterated.

There are 264 active youth football clubs across all the four camps in Dadaab Refugee Complex: Ifo, Ifo 2, Dagahaley and Hagadera.

These football clubs are managed by a well-structured and established youth sports executive committee which is a duly elected body composed of 8 to 15 members headed by a Sports Chairperson and his/ her deputy.

Some of the sports committee members were trained by Sports Aid Africa in 2015 and are periodically engaged in sports capacity building training organised by the Tegla Loroupe Foundation, an ‘international humanitarian charity founded by Tegla Loroupe, a renowned Kenyan international track and athletics icon,’ to enhance their skills.

‘Refugees are talented in various sports and we will continue to organize competitions amongst the various teams in the camp,’ Rex said.