Men’s and women’s 6-a-side Futsal competitions were recently launched by ARK-VIC(Acts of Random Kindness Victoria) and HWPL (Heavenly culture, World Peace Restoration of Light) at the Reclink Sportshare field, Melbourne Australia. Co-hosted by the two organisations, It was supported by big players in the community such as the Football Federation of Australia, IPYG, IWPG, Junubi, and the Wyndham City Council.
Approximately 60 participants, comprising youths and seniors from Chin Myanmar, Karen, Karenni, South Sudan, Somali, Taiwanese backgrounds, with ages ranging from 14 to 34 convened for this event. For this game, 4 men’s teams competed to launch the beginning of the tournament. The men’s tournament comprised a total of 12 teams, along with 10 teams for the women’s tournament.
This event played a role as a platform for advocating for peace and a call for ceasefire for the Israel-Palestine conflict through the HWPL campaign “#NoWinnersOnlyVictims”. Players expressed solidarity and support for peace by contributing messages of peace on the message board. HWPL, an international peace organisation working for legislation of peace and religious harmony, has been focusing on intimate relations with local communities since its branch initiation in Victoria. Its main work in Australia opens chances for locals to join in the form of volunteering or sports events.
The tournament began on 19 April, and finals were held on 28 April with a first place prize. Local teams who competed in the recent game were Evil FC, Ocean Stars, Faith Warriors and Unity Homie. The events also provided an opportunity for attendees to connect and build lasting relationships. Whether cheering from the sidelines or competing on the pitch, everyone embraced the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect.
“The atmosphere at the tournaments was incredible, and there were heaps of players from diverse backgrounds uniting today,” said a representative from ARKVIC.
“We’re really excited to be here today, volunteering and backing this event that brings our community together through sports. It’s amazing to witness people from all walks of life joining in, promoting unity and friendship through the power of play,” stated a representative from IPYG, a co-host.
Looking ahead, ARK-VIC Inc is planning future initiatives to build on the momentum generated by the tournaments throughout the state of Victoria with HWPL. From grassroots development programs to community outreach initiatives, both parties are looking forward to providing opportunities on the horizon to further engage and empower individuals through sport.
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