WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2023

The annual SARI/UNHCR World Refugee Day Fair Play Cup was held at The Law Society, Dublin on Sunday 25th June. Sixteen men’s teams and four women’s teams participated in a glorious fiesta of football, fun and friendship.

Refugee teams included Ukrainians, Palestinians, Vietnamese, Rohingya and Syrians, while a team of International Protection Applicants travelled from Citywest and two teams from Dundalk to play alongside Hot Press magazine, the Second Captains podcast, the Department of Justice, An Garda Siochana and teams drawn from players within SARI’s popular ongoing programmes.

All 20 squads played at least three games during a day of sport and camaraderie, with Pique Blinders and Diverse City ultimately crowned champions in the men’s and women’s competitions, respectively. Teams representing the Irish Homeless Street Leagues were the unlucky runners-up in both tournaments, taking home silver medals for their efforts.

SARI CEO Perry Ogden commented: “It was another hugely successful event and we’re so grateful to all the staff and volunteers from SARI and UNHCR, the referees, players, coaches, supporters, families, and friends who helped to create and enjoy the carnival atmosphere.

“The games were competitive as always, but they were all played in such a great spirit, I can honestly say there wasn’t a single dirty tackle all day. Even the weather co-operated, for the most part. The advance forecast had been shocking, but there was only an occasional shower, so we got lucky there!”

The Fair Play Cup is Ireland’s largest World Refugee Day event, a 7-a-side tournament featuring up to 20 teams of men and women from refugee and local communities, Direct Provision Centres, NGOs, Government and members of the media.

World Refugee Day (WRD) was initiated in December 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly who decided that from 2001 onwards, June 20th would be celebrated to draw attention to the plight of the millions of refugees and internally displaced people worldwide who have been forced to leave their homes due to war, conflict, persecution, or natural disaster.

In 2009, SARI was invited by UNHCR Ireland to collaborate in organising an annual event to mark and celebrate WRD. It has been our great pleasure every summer since then to  co-host this festival of football. This year’s Fair Play Cup was awarded to the Department of Justice, who have been so supportive of our work over the years.