Soccer Aid Raise Funds For Palestine

Rochdale Sports For All (SFA) recently held a successful Charity five-a-side football tournament raising £500 to help Palestinian refugees. A record 16 teams from Greater Manchester and Yorkshire entered the tournament on Sunday 28th December 2008 at Soccer Village in Milnrow.

Nawaz Moin, Fundraising Manager for Sports For All, explained how the event came about.

“After receiving independent reports about the bleak humanitarian and economic situation facing Palestinians, we followed our interest up with an informative meeting with both Cllr Khan and Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Mr Simon Danczuk,” he said. “We heard their account of the suffering of innocent people based on a recent visit to the Palestinian territories, and, given the tragic loss of life over the weekend, with hundreds killed in the Gaza region, we decided to donate all monies raised from the tournament to help those in need of food, water, clothing, medical aid and shelter in Palestine.”

Mr Moin added: “I want in particular to thank Mr Azmat Khan, Community Officer at Rochdale Football Club, Simon Danczuk and Councillor Sharif, the portfolio holder for Community Cohesion for giving up their time, at short notice, to help support this successful event. The business sponsors, Haji Cash & Carry and Vision Twenty-One, also played an important role, as did the ever-enthusiastic Sports For All volunteers.”

The tournament itself was highly competitive, with all three indoor football courts used at Soccer Village. From the early group matches the holders Sona FC from Oldham and Sparth FC from Rochdale looked clear favorites. Both teams won their respected groups- averaging five goals per match.

The surprise team from the group stages was Wardleworth Allstars. Possessing an average age of only 17, they were the youngest team in the competition, quickly winning friends with their skilful play. Wardleworth won their group comfortably defeating 2007 runners up, Real Deeplish in the process.

In the Quarter Final, Wardleworth Allstars and 2007 tournament winners Sona FC played the match of the tournament. Sona FC raced into an early two goal lead before Wardleworth showed courage to level the match at two-two. With a minute to go, as Wardleworth pressed for the winning goal, Sona FC launched a counter attack and snatched a last gasp winner.

Wardleworth Allstars were applauded off the pitch for their outstanding sportsmanship and fair play towards other teams at the final whistle. Special recognition for fair play, will be made to Wardleworth Allstars at the Annual Sports For All awards evening in January 2009, for their conduct both on and off the pitch.

In the Semi Final, Sona FC and Sparth comfortably progressed to the final. The Final was dominated by an inspired Sparth FC. Two early goals eased them to victory to become the 2008 Soccer Aid tournament champions.

Afterwards, Mr Danczuk commented: “Everyone wants to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict and it’s very encouraging to see committed young footballers take an active interest whilst at the same time play the sport they love. At the moment the prospect of peace looks bleak, but we are hopeful that matters will improve in the coming months.”

Councillor Sharif, the portfolio holder for Community Cohesion, added: “I was delighted to play a part in bringing a highly entertaining and skilful tournament to Rochdale. These are young men from our community who have given up their own time to help raise money for those in desperate need. Regarding the event, I am delighted a local team from my ward won this tournament. However, in truth every player, supporter and sponsor were winners. Well done to everyone involved!”

Vision Twenty–One sponsored the player of the tournament. The trophy was presented to Khurram Shazad of Halifax, by Simon Danczuk, who is also a Director Vision Twenty-One.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

Sports For All is based in Rochdale. The main objective of the group is to use sports as a vehicle to promote community cohesion.

For further queries please contact the communications officer Hanief Mohammed on 07949 049 265.