Football tournament to bring refugees and local players together

Twenty football teams featuring players from all over the world will take part in a one-day tournament to mark National Refugee Week in Manchester.

Teams including a mixture of refugees, asylum seekers and British-born players will go head to head in the six-a-side Unity Cup held at Salford Sports Village on Saturday (June 16th). The tournament has been organised by Refugee Action, Salford City Council, Kick it Out, Manchester FA and Manchester City Council.

Football and fun

Gerard Devaney, community development worker at Refugee Action, said: "This event will see players of all abilities and from many different backgrounds coming together for a day of football and family fun.

"Refugee Action has been involved in Refugee Week football tournaments in Manchester for the past seven years and are delighted that this year it is being staged in Salford. This tournament and sport as a whole can help refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into their community and feel a real sense of achievement."

Teams

The countries represented in the Unity Cup include Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Cameroon and the Yemen. There are also mixed teams of refugees and British-born players.

There will be no lack of entertainment for spectators and youngsters, as there will also be a free buffet and play workshops for children organised by Salford Grumpy.

The Unity Cup will take place at the Salford Sports Village on Littleton Road, Kersal from 11am until 5pm. Entrance is free and all are welcome.

Kick it out