Ethkick attracts big numbers
The rain did not dampen spirits for Saturday’s Ethkick West football Tournament in Starling Park, Ranui.
Twenty men’s and five women’s teams entered the sevena-side football tournament on a day aimed to be a celebration of west Auckland cultural diversity and a chance to build friendships through football.
As many as 20 different cultures were represented, as well as a New Zealand police team.
Pools included teams from Rwanda, Fiji India, Myanmar Zo, Afghanistan, Iran/Persia, Congolese, Kurdistan, Burundi, Young Tuvalu, India, Nepal, USA, Chile, Somalila, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia.
Both finals were won 1-0 with Afghanistan winning the men’s and Tuvalu from New Zealand taking out the women’s league.
Fred Holloway kicked the event off with a karakia before human rights commissioner Dame Susan Devoy and deputy mayor Penny Hulse spoke, both emphasising the importance they feel diversity has in the west.
Devoy pointed out that New Zealand is the fifth most diverse country, in terms of cultural background, in the world.
Players left looking forward to the possibility that Ethkick may become an annual event in the years ahead. Community Waitakere have already set about organising future tournaments.