Tackling cancer through grassroots sport

A Bradford-based football tournament will be kicking off later this month as a local charity group aims to raise money in the fight against cancer.

SCAR (Sports Campaign Against Racism) will be hosting the event on Tuesday 17th June at the 5 Alive Soccer Centre on York Street, Bradford, with 10 teams competing for the crown of champions.

SCAR was launched in 1998 by chairman, Delroy Dacres, and secretary, Shadow Parvez, as an attempt to tackle racism at grassroots level in all sports in West Yorkshire.

FUNDRAISING: SCAR secretary, Shadow Parvez
(left), and chairman, Delroy Dacres (right), hope
to raise funds for the fight against cancer

Delroy explains how this latest initiative will aim to bring people from all ethnic backgrounds together for a truly international tournament.

“We have decided to stage the tournament because we want people from all backgrounds to come down and join in,” he said.

“We held a World Cup style competition previously whereby people from all nationalities took part and we could have had over 50 teams that day which was terrific and shows how multi-cultural Bradford is.

“It’s very important to promote a diverse community and allow people to play sport together without any abuse or anything like that. SCAR aims to cut out the racism in grass roots football and that message will of course be spread on 17th June.

“You play in a tournament to win but basically you have to play hard and fair and there are even trophies for the winners.”

The indoor contest is the first of many projects SCAR hopes to launch in the near future.

Organisation secretary, Shadow Parvez, says he is excited about the launch of the competition and hopes to raise a lot of money for the charity.

“I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “We want as many teams as possible to come and participate in this tournament and help raise money for this important cause.

“Regal Bakery, are our main sponsor and we thank them for their support. Faisel [Ali] Director of Regal Bakery) has been very supportive; he’s never turned me down and is willing to help with all the causes.”

To receive an application form, for the 5-aside open age (16+) tournament, please email SCAR, at office@scar-yorkshire.org.uk or phone 01274 494100.

Each team will be charged £40 to enter whilst proceeds will go towards the Crocus Cancer Appeal. The tournament kicks off on Tuesday 17th June, with matches starting at 7pm.