Download this press release here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Katie-Jay Scott
ktj@iactivism.org
+1 310 738 0285
Celebrating the joy of bringing people together through the most beautiful of games: football.
London, England: Announcing the first-ever World Unity Cup, to take place August 25-29, 2016 in Sutton, South London.
Four teams — Chagos Football Association, Ellan Vannin International Football Team, Darfur United, and Tamil Eelam Football Association — will compete to qualify for the CONIFA World Football Cup 2018, a tournament for teams not otherwise recognised by FIFA. The World Unity Cup stands as an opportunity for these players to set their cleats on the international stage, many for the first time.
This international football (or soccer for our American friends) competition celebrates the joy of bringing people together through sport. Spectators can look forward to exciting matches played by skilled footballers coming from around the world. These four inspiring teams represent people groups which, for various reasons, have either been displaced from or have lost autonomy over their native homelands. Each team plays football not only for the love of the game, but also to give voice to their often silenced communities.
Tamil Eelam Head Coach Ragesh Nambiar says, “Football has the power to unite people and strengthen ties between different cultures and nations. We, the people of Tamil Eelam, are looking to help foster the collective spirit of football. The tournament was created to build a working relationship with other Football Associations to expand our ability to host large-scale tournaments. In the future, we, along with other nations, would like to host major international tournaments.”
Founding Executive Director of iACT and Darfur United, Gabriel Stauring, adds, “The World Unity Cup is the perfect opportunity to highlight the positives and the beauty of people coming together. Football creates joy for the players and fans, and Darfur United is looking forward to sharing this joy with the world.”
Press at the World Unity Cup:
Press are encouraged to register at www.worldunitycup.org to gain full access to the World Unity Cup. Press are invited to a formal press conference on August 25, 2016 prior to the first match with coaches and 1 key player from each team. Media Kit #1 is currently available at the website and Media Kit #2 with full team rosters, team contacts, and match schedules will be available soon.
Tournament Location:
Sutton United FC
The Borough Sports Ground
Gander Green Ln
Sutton SM1 2EY
Matches are free and open to the public.
The World Unity Cup is co-hosted by Tamil Eelam Football Association, Chagos Football Association, and Darfur United.