SALAAM PEACE CROSS-BOROUGH MOSQUE CHAMPIONSHIP

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 2 March 2009

SALAAM PEACE CROSS-BOROUGH MOSQUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Leyton, London – Drapers Field Leyton was the venue yesterday for the inaugural Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) cross-borough Salaam Peace Programme mosque football championship.

Over 200 young people from the six east London boroughs of Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney alongside youngsters from Coventry were split into three age groups (U12s, U14s & U18s) to compete for the honours in the ‘Diamond 4’ football concept tournament which features teams with four players on each and no goalkeepers.

Haroon Mota, Coventry Positive Futures said:

“The teams from Coventry were treated to an excellent day out and most of the lads who played had never been to a tournament before so they were really excited.

“The fact that they won didn't really matter as it was all about them coming to London and taking part in the event!”

Abdal Razak, Coventry Positive Futures said:

“We had conducted a lot of partnership work between our teams so we all felt
comfortable in coming down to London and attending this event.

“We all had a brilliant day out which was brilliantly hosted by Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme. Our thanks to all involved!!

The results were:

U12 Winners: Coventry
U12 Runners-up: Ilford Elite

U14 Winners: NLMFC
U14 Runners-up: Tower Hamlets

U18 Winners: Coventry A
U18 Runners-up: Coventry B

For more information on Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme and the Salaam / Peace initiative please contact Sab Bham, LOCSP Community Development Manager on 020 8556 5973, email sab.bham@locsp.org, or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Salaam / Peace initiative is the brainchild of Sab Bham (LOCSP Community Development Manager) and Rashid Bhayat (Coventry Sporting Futures) and is the Positive Futures approach to tackle the Home Office ‘Prevent’ agenda.

The Salaam / Peace initiative has been developed after a number of meetings between youth and community work professionals around the country. More recently the Positive Futures National Team were invited to the Home Office to share their thoughts on how to develop a model of effective practice which would meet the requirements of the Prevent Strategy (NI 35).

There is a consistent theme where many agencies feel uneasy about the PVE agenda and the negative messages and challenges that the current framework brings. To challenge this, and provide a credible alternative that truly meets the needs of the Muslim community, in particular, young people; the Salaam / Peace initiative was born.

The programme is designed to raise the aspirations of young Muslims and ensure they continue to contribute to society as positive citizens, whilst allowing partners such as the Police, an opportunity to build positive relationships with young people.

Salaam / Peace, whose Patron is LOCSP founder Neil Watson, is the brainchild of both Sab Bham (Community Engagement Director) and Rashid Bhayat (Strategic Director).

2. The introduction to the Salaam / Peace initiative is on Tuesday 10th March 12-2.30pm at Score, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton, London. E10 5JY.

3. Special thanks to Neil Burke (Vandanel) for supplying the footballs and kit as official sponsor, B&W trophies for supplying medals and trophies, Met Police/MPA for funding the event, Waltham Forest Council for use of the venue.