FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM

About FARE

Date and venue
On October 15-16 we organized football tournament as a part of FARE Action Week 2005. There were 8 teams: two Chechnya’s, one African and 5 teams of old boys and pupils of Group of Schools “Bednarska” (Zespół Szkół „Bednarska”). The tournament took place on the field of “Raszyńska” School (part of Group of Schools “Bednarska”) at 22 Raszyńska Street in Warsaw, Poland.

Games
On the first day we had elimination games in two groups. The competition was tough but finally the favorites were the ones to win. On Sunday (the second day) in the first semifinal game the first Chechnya’s team squared off against African squad and in the second semifinal Old Boys squared up to Pupils. Both matches provided a lot of emotion. Old Boys were especially disappointed because they loosed against younger colleges. Finally their team was classified on the third place as they minimally defeated Chechens in the small final. The final game was extremely fascinating: Africans were loosing 0:2 but in the second period – thanks to, among others, Rachel (the only girl who played in the tournament) – they set up to the draw. The score had to be decided on penalty shots: Africans were luckier and so they reached for the cup (see the results).

Extra issues
During the second day our friends from Never Again Association had their own counter and they were giving out information about fighting against racism at stadiums. We had chilly but sunny weather. For those who were cold we have prepared tea or coffee and cookies. After the final we had picnic prepared by pupils and Africans so we have tasted same delicious food of Polish and Western African cuisine.

Why and how?
We have decided to participate in the Action Week because we are sure that by this mean we can both demonstrate our opposition to racism, and give refugees an opportunity to integrate with Polish society. Therefore we turned to refugee’s centers and proposed to enter their teams in a competition. There was no problem of will but we came across some setbacks, for instance Chechens had no shoes so we had to buy them (so they will be able to train football also in the future). Our cooperator was Group of Schools “Bednarska”, know for its openness on minorities. The participants acted in T-shirts “my playing field” prepared especially on this occasion by professional visual art and design Studio Bakalie. T-shirts were sponsored by company Tiszert.

Thanks
In the first order we want to thank cordially Karol Zaremski who dedicated himself very strongly to this undertaking: he was responsible for its sport part and without his help nothing would have been done. We would like to thank also our partners, especially Kuba Mikoszewski and volunteers from “Raszyńska” School who prepared the food for the picnic and helped us during whole weekend. Big thanks to Rachel who prepared African food. Thanks also to Agnieszka, Marta and Sylwester who coordinated the action on the refugee’s centers side, to referees – Mr. Jacek Sękowski and Mr. Dariusz Świderski – who ensured professionalism of the event and also to all the players and fans. And finally, big thanks to Olga Pigłowska who has encouraged us to realize this project.

GAZETA WYBORCZA, Oct 17 2005:

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