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Refugee soccer stars team up in Manchester ‘World Cup’

Release date: Tuesday 6 June 2006

A professional footballer from Angola is competing in Manchester's Refugee World Cup - on the same day that his national team plays for the first time in the 'real' World Cup this Sunday, 11 June.

Valdano Gomes represented Angola at under-21 level and trained at Benfica in Portugal before he was forced to flee his war-torn home country in 2002. Angola has qualified for the World Cup for the first time this year and faces Portugal on Sunday.

Despite being forced to leave Angola, football-mad Valdano still plays and will compete in the refugee world cup as captain of a team called VG Foundation, which won the tournament last year.

The team also includes an Angolan dual-national who played for Portugal's national team and others who played at Sporting Lisbon.

Valdano said: “This is the first time Angola has ever qualified for the World Cup and we are very proud. We would like to be there to see our country play on the world stage but it is impossible for us for many reasons. However, we are proud as VG Foundation to be playing in Manchester’s Refugee World Cup tournament and we will feel on the day like we are representing our nation in Manchester.

“After the tournament, the Angolan community will gather to watch the Angola v Portugal match on television in the evening. We will be very nervous!”

The Refugee World Cup is a one-day tournament featuring 20 teams including Southerners FC from Sudan and Old Stars from Somalia, as well as mixed teams featuring British nationals.

This is the seventh refugee world cup to take part in Manchester in the lead-up to national Refugee Week. The tournament is organised by Colin Moore, the social inclusion officer at Manchester Football Association, in partnership with Refugee Action.

Colin said: “This event is always a success and shows how football breaks through barriers of language, culture and background. However, this year it will be especially poignant for all of the Angolan nationals as they wait to see their national team take part in the World Cup in Germany that evening.”

Refugee Action’s Tim Hilton added: “Many refugees have fled war and persecution and can feel isolated as they try to rebuild their lives in the UK. This tournament and sport as a whole can help them integrate into their community and feel a real sense of achievement.”

The Refugee World Cup will take place at the Armitage Centre, University of Manchester, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, Sunday June 11th from 10am until 5pm. Spectators are welcome and the event is free of charge.

ENDS

PLEASE NOTE: We will require advance notice of at least three working days if we are to arrange for filming or photography to take place at the event. For more information, or to request an interview with a player or organizer contact Sue Wheat, Communications Officer: 020 7654 7714, 07810 757 752 out of hours.

suew@refugee-action.org.uk Please note email is down on Wed 6 and Thurs 7 so please phone on those days. All emails sent will be lost.

Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and promote understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary. This year, Refugee Week will take place from 19th to 25th June.
Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work. We received 30,000 visits from asylum seekers last year. Refugee Action has 25 years’ experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.
Manchester FA is committed to ensuring that everyone in Greater Manchester, regardless of ability, race, religion and sex has the opportunity to participate in football in some capacity. www.manchesterfa.co.uk . Social inclusion officer, Colin Moore, 07903 823314 colin.moore@manchesterfa.com

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