A new goal in life - Refugee World Cup teams really do have every thing to play for
Blog by Kaye Stearman, Media and Communications Officer
With world attention focused on Russia and football frenzy, it is easy to forget that the beautiful game can be played without national rivalries and foul play. Manchester’s Refugee World Cup tournament will bring together multi-national teams of refugees, not for glory or gold, but to celebrate safety and sanctuary.
Freedom from Torture’s North West Centre in Manchester will be fielding its own team on the day. Football is one of the group therapies offered at the centre. Sometimes it is the only way to connect with young refugees, suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).
They have survived persecution and torture in their home countries and seek sanctuary in the UK. Many are living their lives in limbo, stuck for months and years in the asylum system, waiting for their cases to be heard.
They cannot study or work, except on a limited voluntary basis. Some cannot speak or understand English, and find life in exile strange and unfriendly. Coming together to play football helps to lessen their isolation.
The Freedom from Torture football team is happily multi-national. Players come from countries as different as Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka and Iran – but on the pitch they play as one team, bonded by their common experiences of torture. The players are a mixture of current clients, still in therapy with Freedom from Torture, and former clients, many of whom have refugee status and are building new lives in the UK.
But the football group is about more than just kicking a ball about. It’s being together, socialising and eating together. A therapist travels to and from the ground with the group and is on hand if problems arise, for example if a participant starts “dissociating” or has a flashback – a vision of something dreadful that has happened in the past and which still seems real.
The Freedom from Torture football team is happily multi-national. Players come from countries as different as Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka and Iran – but on the pitch they play as one team, bonded by their common experiences of torture. The players are a mixture of current clients, still in therapy with Freedom from Torture, and former clients, many of whom have refugee status and are building new lives in the UK.
The Refugee World Cup will see the team take to the field in their colourful new kit, bought from money raised last year by Dr Terry Hanley who acts as volunteer supervisor for the football therapy group. The new kit is in two-tone brilliant blue embossed with Freedom from Torture’s name and logo with bright green kit for the goalie.
On the pitch players will be meeting and competing with teams from other refugee and migrant organisations, including Manchester Refugee Support Network, the Red Cross and Refugee Action. All refugee communities and local teams from across Greater Manchester are welcome to register and play.
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that" so said legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.
But no member of the Freedom from Torture football team would ever say that. Whether they play for therapy, for healing, for exercise, to assuage loneliness or just for fun, they really do know the value of life, having survived torture and exile in a strange country.
About the Refugee World Cup
The Refugee World Cup, Family Fun Day and Refugee Cultural celebration on Saturday 23 June 2018, at Albert Park, Grecian Street, Salford, M7 1JF.
The tournament is 7-a-side and teams can register a maximum of ten players. There will be two competitions – a Refugee World Cup and a Refugee World Cup Shield. There will also be a ‘Fair Play Team Trophy’ and an individual Player of the Tournament trophy.
The Family Fun day and refugee cultural celebration will have something for everyone - music, food, a bouncy castle, ultimate frisbee, football cage, face painting, henna and other activities. There will even be a cricket match to cater for non-football fans.
The day has been organised by Manchester Refugee Support Network in partnership with the Red Cross, Refugee Action, Rainbow Haven, Revive, Manchester FA, Manchester City Council, University of Manchester and Art Reach.
For further information on the Refugee World Cup please contact Belay Kahsay on 0161 868077 or email:[email protected]
About Refugee Week
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural, sport and educational activities and events that celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK. It aims to create better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to the UK. This year marks 20 years of celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees.
