Football Fun

One leather ball, 16 teams, 176 players, and a couple of hundred supporters... that's exactly what's needed for a day of fun, fun, fun, and some stiff competition! But this event isn't just about the excitement of competing in a football tournament. This is about helping people who live on the edge and rarely, if ever, have any fun.

For the third year running our Chung King Mansions Service Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers will be hosting the Home & Away Charity Football tournament, and we will once again be doing so in partnership with Vine Community Services Limited. We are all deeply vested in the welfare of this extremely vulnerable and very marginalized group of people.

Christian Action helps new arrivals in many ways including: directing them to International Social Services and the UNHCR; providing meals; counseling, social and interest classes. The Vine church cares for spiritual needs, as well as offering services similar to ours. We share the load because it's a heavy one.

This year's tournament will be held at Diocesan Boys' School on 26th October. The 16 teams will include one team representing The Vine, and one team bearing the "United Colours" of Christian Action. The other 14 slots will be filled by corporate and individual teams. Last year’s participants included G2000, Pacific Coffee, JP Morgan and Hopewell Holdings. The tournament raised over HK$100,000 and 'Team Party Rock' took home the winning trophy.

The tournament can be life changing for them. For many these are the best conditions they have ever played in, and they’re taking it as seriously as if it were the World Cup. They may never have played on a real field with a referee, or worn a pair of soccer boots, matching togs or had their names on the back of their jerseys.

Jeffrey Andrews, UCCA trainer and Christian Action case worker says, “For 15 minutes, while they play their hearts out, these men are no longer refugees. They are soccer players, an essential part of something that matters." Asit from Pakistan said, "This is the perfect stage for me to show my talent and skill to the public." Fabrice from Congo added, "The competition and the carnival atmosphere at the tournament are great. I hope to participate in more events like this."

If you work for a corporation in Hong Kong and can organize a football team for this tournament, then submit your entry, and start practicing! The standard of play is high, and, the rewards go far beyond what you'll see with your eyes at this meaningful event!