JanineFootball Tournament Builds Bridges After Unrest
In the wake of the unrest that shook Harehills earlier this summer, a community football tournament aimed at promoting unity took place at Harehills Park.
Held on Saturday, September 21st, the game brought together twelve teams in an effort to promote unity and healing.
Organised by community leader Chijiokie John Ojukwu and supported by the Concord Interfaith Fellowship and Harehills Baptist Church, the event aimed to break down barriers and foster new relationships within the local community.
Teams such as Torre Boys, Ashton FC, Roma Voices Connect (RVC), and Rahman Rangers came together on the day, which saw Al Rahma Rangers, a team based out of a mosque in Chapeltown, crowned champions of the tournament.
Speaking about the event, local youth support worker, Adam Aslam, said in a statement published on Facebook: “It was wonderful to see 12 community teams come together to organise a friendly Football tournament at Harehills park. We need more tournaments, get togethers and bridge building activities to experience the best of LS8 together.
“I met lots of new people, some real wonderful youth mentors and community activists and well-wishers came to support and encourage teams to form for the day.”
Alberto Tiuga was one of the players who participated the event, and he eventually went on to win the Francis Manda prize. The prize is named in memory of the late Francis Manda, who died from injuries sustained in a violent assault in Harehills years ago.
Commenting on the tournament, Alberto said: “It was a really good tournament with a lot of positive energy and a great atmosphere. I’d like to thank [Chijioke] and his colleagues for the work they put into it and for everything he does.
“I’m really glad that I was chosen as the player of the tournament and that I got to win the prize, but the best thing is that I was able to make a lot of good relationships with people I never knew. I hope there’s going to be more of these activities happening.”
His sentiments were echoed by the Torre Boys, one of the teams that played at the event. A spokesman for the football teams said: “ In Leeds, every pass and tackle tells a story of shared and varied backgrounds – a testament to the power of football to break down barriers and build bridges among us.”
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