Teams from the Chinese and Syrian communities will take part in an unprecedented tournament in Dublin on Sunday.
It might not have grabbed the headlines, but one of the most amazing results in the world of football last year was the 1-0 victory by the Syrian national team over China in a World Cup qualifier in Beijing in October.
Considering everything that the nation of Syria has gone through in recent years, it was truly a remarkable result and the reaction to the winning goal by Mahmoud Al Mawas showed just how much it meant to the Syrian players.
Here's the goal and what it means.. pic.twitter.com/ZMoWhB8ssX
— Rory Richman-Briggs (@rorybriggs_) October 6, 2016
Inspired by that game, teams from the Chinese and Syrian communities in Ireland will come together to take part in an unprecedented soccer tournament in Dublin this Sunday, February 5.
Commenting on the game, organiser Tian Yu Lloyd, from the City of Sanctuary Dublin group and the Dublin Chinese community says: “Let’s play football together and make a New Year wish that in 2017 peace will return to Syria and the millions of displaced Syrian refugees will begin to find sanctuary either back in their own country or in host countries in the Middle East and Europe, including Ireland.
“This event was inspired by the football match last October in Beijing, in which the Syrian national team beat the Chinese national team. The Chinese people saw through this match the huge courage and resilience of the Syrian people, who were trying to get on with their lives despite the terrible war that their country was living through.
“Here in Ireland, the Chinese community is very aware of the Syrian refugees and of the very many difficulties they are facing. They would like at this time of Chinese New Year to express their solidarity with the Syrian people, and to show through this sporting event their desire to help the Syrian refugees who have recently arrived to start a new life in this friendly and hospitable island.
The tournament will take place on the Indoor Astro pitches at Unit 5 Airways Industrial Estate in Santry on Sunday, February 5, from 10am to 1pm.
This event is organised by City of Sanctuary Dublin, with support from Sport against Racism Ireland (SARI), the Chinese Community and the Settled Syrian Community in Ireland.
City of Sanctuary Dublin works to create a culture of welcome and safety for refugees, asylum-seekers and other immigrants to the city.
For more information, check out the Dublin City of Sanctuary website.
