Global Football Festival celebrates the beautiful game

28 January 2008

Experience the passion for the global game from countries where football rules at this year’s Global Football Festival in Christchurch next month.

The Zimbabwe Warriors, Nepali Gorkhali, South African All Stars, Korean Tigers, The Undutchables from Holland and the Irish Rovers will be among the 20 teams taking part in the festival. Kicking off on Saturday, 16 February, the event has also drawn teams from Afghanistan, Thailand, Poland, Japan, China and the Middle East.

The festival, part of the Christchurch City Council’s SummerTimes programme, is now in its fifth year. The festival was set up to support the ethnic communities of Christchurch to come together and pursue their passion for the "beautiful game" of football.

"Many approaches were made to Council about the possibility of setting up a tournament of this nature," says Council Recreation Adviser Ken Howat.

"This festival helps ethnic communities, who mostly play football all-year round, to establish themselves and be more involved in the wider community. It is a great example of how recreation strengthens communities."

A colourful opening ceremony will be held at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre, University of Canterbury, on Friday, 15 February. The three-day event of top-class football is expected to attract thousands of spectators, with the Police Team again taking on the Ethnic All Stars before the tournament final on Saturday, 23 February.

Mr Howat says Christchurch residents are encouraged to bring the family along, adopt a team and cheer them on.

For more information visit www.bethere.co.nz or phone 941 8999.

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