Today, teams from three different COA locations from Drenthe competed against each other on the grass of FC Meppel. The football tournament originated from an idea of the COA and developed by football coach and volunteer Frans Fleer from Meppel. Refugees and status holders from the Assen, Hoogeveen and Meppel locations took part.
The level of football differs, but the passion for the sport and the fun that radiates from it is the same for everyone. Sport connects and that is also visible on the football field today. Fleer notices that too. “It’s so important for these people to have something to look forward to again. After everything they’ve been through. And fanatic they are dude.”
One of the participants is Seddam Alsharif, from Yemen. He came to the Netherlands ten months ago, because it is too dangerous in his home country. But as it turns out, Seddam can also play nice football. In his home country, he is even a six-time international. “Football is a bit different here than there. They are very big here and very physical.”
According to Seddam, organizing such a day is fun and important. “You get to know other people from other camps. It’s nice to make new friendships there.” Fleer is also very pleased with the boy from Yemen. “He has already joined the second team of FC Meppel a few times. You can clearly see that he can play football.”
Whether this tournament is a setup for a bigger tournament or even a competition, Fleer didn’t know yet. “If this all goes well and the COA would like to organize it with more teams, we can always look.”