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Tournament gives refugees a turn on the soccer field |
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By Ata Bos
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Thursday, 11 June 2009 |
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A tournament for refugees is more than just a chance to play soccer. More than 300 players from refugee centres throughout Finland were participating yesterday afternoon on the Heinapää soccer grounds to promote tolerance, to get people together and to highlight talented players.
 Ali Abdifaiat (right) and team mate from Kajaani
"Everybody likes to play soccer and we like to create the conditions. It helps to motivate to learn the language," announces Maurizio Pratesi, project coordinator from the National Soccer Association during the press conference.
The tournament, staged on a sunny day, is extraordinary for Oulu.
"This is just the second time we hosted the tournament," says host Riku Kivimäki from the Oulu Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers. "The first time was in 2004. It is great to see so many players. We’ve got 24 teams competing against each other during two days" he adds while he smiles at players who loudly celebrate their first victory.
"A small group of workers of the refugee centres met in 2000 and started to organise a tournament and this is what we have today," says Miriam Attias, satisfied looking at the players on the soccer fields. Miriam works for the Red Cross and is among others responsible for the first aid volunteers and promotional activities.
Rahel Talib Muhamad and Ali Asghar Heidapi from, respectively, Iraq and Iran sit relaxed on the field. They play for "Punkalaidun" a town with approximately 3300 inhabitants in Western Finland.
"What’s the score?" I want to know.
"We haven’t played yet" they say.
"Are you prepared for tough competition?" I ask while looking at the fast running players on the field?
"We practice four times a week," they say proudly. "Why do you like soccer?" I try.
They look at me in disbelief. "Everybody likes soccer" they claim in chorus.
Oulu trainer Leo Korhonen practices 3 to 4 times a week with the Oulu refugee teams. "After arrival people firstly learn basic Finnish phrases such as kiitös (thank you) and huomenta (good morning) but this is quickly followed by minä haluan jalkapallo (I want to play soccer,)" he laughs.
Ali Abdifaiat from Somalia has lived for 6 months in the reception centre in Kajaani.
"One win and one loss" he says apologetically. "Are you following the Finnish competition?" I wonder. "Yes, I saw Finland-Liechtenstein for the world cup qualification last week" he nods. "The Finns need to develop their technique," he says while he shakes his head as if he feels sorry for the national team.
"Being a refugee is not the end of life. A day like this is rather the beginning of a new life says" Emmanuel Etchu soccer player from Camaroon and one of the last speakers at the press conference.
Second tournament day:Thursday from 9am to 3pm in Heinapää.
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