Los Angeles, California, USA / Refugee Camp Djabal, Goz Beida, Chad – This coming fall in eastern Chad, iACT will organize the first-ever Darfur United Women’s Team (DUWT), an all-refugee soccer team representing Darfur, Sudan, and the women who tirelessly hold the community and their future together. Building on the success of the Darfur United Men’s Team, the Women’s Team will give the women of Darfur the opportunity to train, compete, and represent their people on the field and bring new possibilities for women and girls in their community, where few exist today.
The first-ever Women’s Team Training Camp in October 2018 will launch the formation of the team. Female players from eight refugee camps in eastern Chad who currently serve as coaches for the Refugees United Soccer Academy, and young women with some experience who are interested in joining the team, will come together to participate in a week-long soccer training camp with expert iACT soccer coaches and trainers.
Darfur United originally began in 2012 in refugee camp Djabal, located in Goz Beida, eastern Chad. Sixty Darfuri men traveled to Djabal from all twelve Darfuri refugee camps in eastern Chad to try out for the men’s soccer team. In a joint effort with the Darfuri refugee community, the UN Refugee Agency, and soccer fans, iACT formed the Darfur United Men’s Team (DUMT). That same year, iACT took the team from the camps to Iraqi-Kurdistan to participate in the Viva World Cup, in which DUMT competed and scored the Darfuri community’s first international goal. Two years later, iACT facilitated the team’s participation in the 2014 CONIFA World Football Cup in Östersund, Sweden. During this tournament, DUMT players shared their stories with the world and iACT began forming partnerships with Swedish communities. The Darfur United Men’s Team currently has players living in eastern Chad, Sweden, and the United States.
When asked about the significance of starting the first soccer team for Darfuri refugee women, iACT’s Founding Executive Director Gabriel Stauring said, “When the men were trying out for the first Darfur United team, the refugee women called me over and asked, ‘What about us?!’ This opportunity to represent Darfur, refugees, and women around the world is beyond special. It’s transformational.”
Just as important as its focus on competitive soccer is Darfur United as a movement to bring hope, inspiration, and joy to the people of Darfur.
iACT is seeking sponsors, partners, and volunteers to be part of this extraordinary and unparalleled opportunity. Opportunities include but are not limited to philanthropic support, media, gear partnerships, DUWT outreach advocacy, and DUWT player sponsorship.
Darfur United Women’s Team also needs uniforms, training kits, soccer supplies, and stipends for travel, food, and housing during the camp.
To find out more and inquire about getting involved, please send an email to felicia@iactivism.org or visit https://darfurunited.com/darfur-united-womens-team/.
###
ABOUT iACT
iACT is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization providing humanitarian action to aid, empower, and extend hope to those affected by mass atrocities. iACT’s vision is to create a world where people are connected and empowered to act. iACT places the beneficiary at the heart of each program and uses community members to co-create, manage, and expand impact; and to build resilience and restore dignity. For more information about iACT, visit iact.global. For more information about Darfur United Men’s and Women’s Teams, visit www.darfurunited.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Felicia Lee
felicia@iactivism.org
1732 Aviation Blvd., #138
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
USA
Ph: +1 949-929-8079