Sport Against Racism Ireland is an anti-racism not for profit organisation founded in Dublin in July 1997 ‘as a direct response to the growth of racist attacks from a small but vocal section of people in Ireland.’ SARI organise various events, projects, programmes and campaigns in order to ‘support and promote social inclusion and positive integration through sport’.
Background
SARI was founded in 1997 during the European Year against Racism. Co-founders Ken McCue, Frank Buckley, and Perry Ogden recognised growing racism and xenophobia throughout Ireland and chose the medium of sport to facilitate integration among the growing diverse population in Ireland. In the years since its establishment, SARI has held numerous events, accumulated many international partners, and achieved charity status. The patrons of SARI are John Rocha and Benjamin Zephaniah. As well as the chairman, Perry Ogden, the board consists of Ali Curran, Phil Flynn, Brian Kerr and Eamon O'Shea.
Activities and Events
SARI is involved in many activities and events, in addition to ongoing projects such as Living Together Through Football, COUNT US IN, and STEMS.
Organised in partnership with the UNITAS ISAC, the Beach Cricket Festival takes place in Meath East Coast to promote social integration through cricket and raise funds for the DAA Staff Charity of the Year.
SARI was chosen as a representative of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at the Football For Hope festival in South Africa in 2010. Taking place in the final week of the 2010 World Cup in Alexandra, Johannesburg - 32 organisations were chosen from around the world by FIFA and to take part in the Festival aimed at promoting development through football.
Soccerfest
Soccerfest began in 1997 and has since been established as the largest intercultural 7-a-side soccer tournament in Ireland. 46 teams consisting of different gender, background, and culture competed in the 2013 edition, sponsored by Tesco Mobile in Phoenix Park. Of these 46 teams, countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and South Africa were represented.
Run by Head Coach and former professional football player, Zuby Ufoh, Soccernites is a year round, bi-weekly soccer training programme offered to inner city boys and girls in North Dublin. In 2014, Soccernites expanded to include a Young Leaders Programme.
Stick With Diversity
Hosted at Civil Service Cricket Club in Phoenix Park, Stick With Diversity introduces people of different ethnic backgrounds to a variety of 'stick' sports, such as Baseball, Camogie, Cricket, Croquet, Hockey, Hurling, Rounders, Shinty, Softball and Table Tennis.
SARI works with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to organise the annual Fair Play Football Cup. The tournament attracts over 100 players from various refugee and community groups. In 2013, World Refugee Day Fair Play Football Cup had a team entirely from a Direct Provision Centre in Ireland; such centres are temporary facilities which house asylum seekers in Ireland.
