19 June 2009

City hosting 'world' cup

Source: Sheffield Star, 17 June 2009

An annual football tournament aimed at encouraging new arrivals to Sheffield to play the game takes place at the weekend.

The 2009 All Nations tournament, a joint initiative between Sharrow-based Football Unites Racism Divides (FURD) and the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA will bring together over 100 players from around the globe who have recently settled in the city and is part of Sheffield's programme for Refugee Week.

The winners for the past two years, Galeed Giants, mostly made up of players originally from Liberia, will be defending their crown at the University of Sheffield's Goodwin Centre on Sunday.

"We believe that football is one of the best ways for people newly-arrived in the UK to feel a sense of belonging, and to begin to interact with the settled communities in Sheffield", said event organiser and community coach Desbon Bushiri.

"I know from my own experience, as a refugee from Burundi, that being able to join in a game of organised football helped me speak English, make friends and learn about British society."