The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Football tournament ends festival for refugees.
Festival for Syrians concludes with football tournament
The power of football brought refugees from Syria closer to the people of Angus.
In December five families from Syria arrived in Angus and since then the local authority has helped them adapt to life in Scotland.
The football tournament was the conclusion of the inaugural Angus Refugee Festival, which celebrates the county’s role in supporting families.
One of the Syrians taking part in the football tournament at Arbroath Sports Centre yesterday said: “I live in Arbroath and I love it.
“The people are very kind, though the weather is very bad. The welcome that we have received in Scotland is more than we expected.
“We have felt a huge difference since we arrived. At the start we were scared and afraid and now the children are happy.”
The five-a-side football tournament was hosted by Angus Solidarity for Refugees and Angus Refugee Care, strips were donated by Arbroath Vics and an engraved trophy was donated by Angus Trophy Centre in Carnoustie.
Among the events last week was a screening of the documentary Queens of Syria at St Andrew’s Church, Arbroath.
Zippo’s Circus, which was at Inchcape Park in Arbroath, donated 23 free tickets for a performance on Saturday.
Neil Paterson, festival co-ordinator at Angus Council which is supporting the event, said: “The festival has been about raising awareness of refugee issues. It’s very positive.
“Each local authority received a percentage of refugees based on their population. In Angus it’s 10 families. Five families arrived before Christmas with 21 people in total.
“Angus Council has helped them with everything from schooling, housing, registering with doctors, helping them with health issues.
“We should be receiving more families in August.”
Since arriving in Arbroath, members of the families have volunteered in conservation groups, social groups and sports and cultural events.
Director of Angus Refugee Care Islam Mohammden added: “All of Scotland has been very welcoming, which has helped them to integrate a bit quicker.
“The festival has been a great success and everybody has been looking forward to the football tournament.” rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk
The fact that Arbroath has welcomed its Syrian refugees with open arms is a truly uplifting development, particularly at a time of heightened tensions. Once again the power of football to bridge divides has been shown during the inaugural Angus Refugee Festival, which will hopefully be a fixture for many years to come.
While the dreich Scottish weather may not be to their liking, it is encouraging to see that all efforts are being made to help these families integrate.