Darfur United honoured for Fair Play at ConIFA World Football Cup

Darfur United received the cup for “Fair Play and Ethics” at the close of the ConIFA World Football Cup in Östersund in Sweden on Sunday. The team, which consists entirely of Darfuri refugees from the camps of eastern Chad, were faced with far more experienced teams in the tournament. While technically outclassed in both of their matches, their enthusiasm, fair play, and sportsmanship never wavered. El Fatih Younis Haroun, the cultural ambassador for the refugees of eastern Chad, said that the purpose of the participation in the tournament was to deliver a message to the world. “These poor refugees living in eastern Chad camps could come and innovate in all international forums, particularly in the domain of sport, despite the troubles they are facing.” The ConIFA Cup is an alternative world championship from 31 May to 8 June in Sweden for teams outside FIFA. Teams such as South Ossetia, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Tamil Sri Lanka battle for the Nelson Mandela trophy in Sweden. The latest member who joined ConIFA is Zanzibar, part of Tanzania. Darfur United is supported by i-ACT, a non-profit organisation based in the USA. Photos above and below: Darfur United with the cup for Fair Play and Ethics, wearing their ConIFA World Football Cup 2014 participation medals. Related: Darfur refugee soccer team to play for 11th place in Sweden (6 June 2014) Darfur United refugee soccer team travels to Sweden (5 June 2014)