The Football for Unity - Launch Tournament

A multi-school, mixed-team tournament

Date: 18/01/2006
Venue: Eltham Green Specialist Sports College, Greenwich, London

Partners: Truce International, Greenwich Council, Charlton Athletic Football Club, Al Abrar Foundation, Al Khoei Foundation, Imam Ali Foundation, Chaudhry’s TKC, World Federation of Khoja Communities

Attended by Sven-Goran Eriksson (England Head Coach 2000-2006), Truce International Chair Nancy Dell’Olio and Clive Efford Member of Parliament for Eltham.

Schools: Al Sadiq Islamic School, Eltham Green Specialist Sports College, Plumstead Manor School, Eltham Hill Technology School, Thomas Tallis School, Crown Woods School, St Ursula’s Convent, Woolwich Polytechnic School

Over 110 Student, boys and girls aged 11-16 representing 8 different schools from the London Olympic borough of Greenwich and the Al-Sadiq Islamic School from the London borough of Brent competed in the first Football for Unity tournament. It was soon evident, that through the mixed-team formula, children from different backgrounds found a commonality through football.
Each student received a t-shirt, medal and ball to commemorate their participation.

The event was covered by UK, Middle East and world media.

Efforts will be made to create an ongoing inter-school and community football programme in the borough of Greenwich with Greenwich Council, Charlton Athletic, Charlton Athletic Racial Equality Partnership and other local partners.