By Ken McCue

The 2018 Eid World Cup took place recently on the grounds of the Law Society in Dublin.

This very popular two-day event, now in the fifth edition, is organised annually by the male and female youth leaders of Sport Against Racism Ireland (Sari).

This year, the money gathered through team participation fees and an innovative crowdfunding initiative will pay for health supplies shipped out in a sea container to the war-torn region of Syria.

Among the 16 teams taking part in the tournament, the organisers were proud to have a team of Syrian refugees sponsored by Friends of the Centre in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

The Eid World Cup is spread across two days, with a five-a-side tournament for women taking place on Saturday and this year won by the Irish Street League-Homeless World Cup team, while the Baltic United team were victorious over Maghreb in the seven-a-side final for men held on the Sunday.

This year, to celebrate 20 years since the founding of Sari, an ‘all stars’ match was staged involving players who had contributed their skills over the years to the success of Sari’s flagship event, Soccerfest.

Many of the players who cut their teeth on what was once the biggest intercultural seven-a-side tournament in Europe turned out for the showcase. These included a number of veteran players from the first five editions of Soccerfest who went on to become professional soccer players and coaches, even on the international stage.

A special message of support from Patrick Gasser, head of football and social responsibility for Uefa, was sent to congratulate the Sari youth leaders on their effective use of the medium of soccer for social good.

Next up for Sari will be 2018’s Soccerfest at Phoenix Park on Saturday 15 September. See sari.ie for application details.

- The call for solidarity funding is still open at gofundme.com/eid-world-cup-5