Spinney Hill Park in Leicester was the chosen venue for the 4th Annual Charity Festival, held on Tuesday 16th June, between Religious Leaders, Clergies from around Leicester and Leicestershire Constabulary. This year the organisers, St Peters Centre and Community Football Academy, invited a group of religious leaders from Gotenburg, Sweden to take part in a 3 way, 7 a side festival.
Ahmed Maravia, one of the organisers said,"It is important for this event to take place as it continuos to bridge gaps in communication between different religions in a multi faith city. We normally hold this event at Judgemeadow Community College but we felt Spinney Hill Park will be more suited for the event this year, so that local people can stop and come along to watch different groups, come together united by football".
Laurence Jones, Chief Executive of Leicestershire & Rutland CFA said, "Sport and in this instance football is a powerful social tool that brings many diverse communities together, it is a medium to remove barriers, and an enabler to different communities living working and playing together. The Leicestershire & Rutland County FA is determined to use football to the benefit of all communities throughout the city and county, and is in the process of establishing an equality advisory group that will be representative of all groups”.
Supporting the event were leaders from different organisations in Leicester, including Tony Kershaw, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, on his final day in office.
Also, the event kick started festivals of football played on 3 different venues within the city. Celebrating diversity within communities by using football as a tool, was the key in bringing together different groups, clubs and schools.
The events were -
- Multi Faith 7 a side Tournament held for Year 5/6 and Year 7/8 at Judgemeadow Community College, Leicester. The U11’s Tournament was won by Humberstone Juniors School 2 – 0 against a Mosque Team from
Evington. The U13’s was won by ICCF who won 4 – 1 on penalties against Umar Boys. To finish off the day Leicestershire Police played a group comprising of Imams and Community Football Academy volunteers in a
small sided game. The game finished 4-3 to the Imams / Volunteers
- Khalsa Federation Annual Tournament held at Victoria Park, Leicester
- Kidmah Festival for Female, Male and Veterans held over 3 different dates
The events were a showcase to emphasise Football For All. There are no barriers in football and the only thing that mattered was the colour of the shirt.