Sport and refugees weekly: 25 March 2022
In response to the continued humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has launched two initiatives – one for refugees and one for judoka – to support them as they rebuild their lives. A digital platform lists judo clubs in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries which are offering refugees judo lessons. IJF is also accepting donations to support national federations and local organisations which are working to bring joy to the Ukrainian refugee community.
FC Barcelona is implementing a series of actions to support Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to flee their homes amidst the ongoing crisis. In partnership with the Red Cross, the Foundation is collecting products for babies and children – donors can support the initiative by bringing products to collection points at the club’s various matches.
Laureus creates “Sport for Peace Fund” to help victims of the Ukraine war (Laureus)
The new ‘Laureus Sport for Peace Humanitarian Action Fund’ will support on-ground agencies in Ukraine in providing food, water, medicine, hygiene kits, shelter and safe spaces. Further support will also be provided to those that have fled the war and made their way to neighbouring countries. The fund is part of the ‘Play Your Part’ campaign, launched by Laureus Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko, who captained and later managed the Ukraine national team.
In February 2022, Cisse was spotted by scouts in Italy, playing for the ASD Rinascita Refugees, a club for players seeking asylum, in a friendly game, and he was signed on by Atlanta’s youth academy. A month later, the 18-year-old made his Serie A debut, and scored the winning goal of the match.
How three female athletes fled Afghanistan to build a new life here (Cincinnati.com)
Fatana (20), Soria (19) and Sonita (18) all fled Kabul when the Taliban took power last August, knowing that their lives were in danger as sportswomen. After a harrowing journey, they managed to escape to the US, via Qatar, eventually resettling in Cincinnati. As they rebuild their lives, they are relying on sports to help them integrate into their new societies, With Fatana playing volleyball with the University of Cincinnati team, and Soria and Sonita working out with the University of Cincinnati Boxing Club.
Ukrainian refugee wins Jerusalem Marathon (Inside the Games)
Ukrainian refugee Valentyna Veretska fled to Poland with her 11-year-old daughter after the Russian invasion of her country – her husband remains in Ukraine. The athlete, who was unable to train for almost a month after fleeing her homeland, won the Jerusalem Marathon on 26 March, completing the race in 2 hour and 45 minutes.
Karate to allow wider representation of refugees in international competitions (Inside the Games)
Refugee athletes will now be permitted to take part in the Karate 1-Premier League, the most important event of the sport. World Karate Federation (WKF) will allow the athletes to compete under the WKF flag, and the conditions will be the same as their participation in the World Championships, which refugees have been participating in since 2016.
Afghan refugees forget ‘pain’ of Taliban coup at West London cricket club (My London)
Young refugees in West London have found an outlet to escape the trauma of fleeing their home country by playing their favourite sport, cricket. Kensington and Chelsea Council has organised sport sessions for evacuees to aid their mental health and wellbeing. Through sport, the evacuees are able to feel part of a community as they settle into life in a new country.
PSG star Keylor Navas and wife Andrea welcome 30 Ukrainian refugees into Paris mansion (Mirror)
Navas, the goalkeeper for Paris-Saint Germaine, has purchased 30 beds to house a group of Ukrainian refugees in his mansion’s home theatre. His wife, Andrea, is helping prepare food for them and provide them with clothing, as she also urged her social media followers to offer to help any Ukrainians impacted by the war.
Women’s refugee football team bond thanks to power of sport (Liverpool Echo)
Comfort Angels, a football team of women in Liverpool 8, who are mostly refugees or asylum seekers, have been able to bond with each other over their shared experiences, through sport. The team are the subject of a new documentary short film made by Shado, a community of activists, artists and journalists working towards social justice, in collaboration with Amnesty International.
Coaches from Rmeileh Refugee Camp Foundation receive training (Real Madrid)
The Real Madrid Foundation has recently completed the first online training session for coach educators at the Rmeileh refugee camp in Lebanon. The sessions, which are dedicated to football and values, are for coaches who lead weekly training sessions for more than 350 children from Syria and Iraq who live in the camp.
This information has been compiled by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
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