ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
Twenty men’s team and five women’s team participated in the first Ethkick West Football Tournament last weekend organised at the Starling ground in Ranui, West Auckland to bring together different communities and celebrate New Zealand's cultural diversity through a shared passion for football.
Afghanistan triumphed over Nepal in the men’s category while Tuvalu defeated New Zealand to win the gold for the women’s team. Both winners scored 1–0 against their opponents.
Although Auckland saw strong winds and rain on Saturday, the weather could not dampen the spirit of the sportsmen.
Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, who was present at the event, commended the enthusiasm of the youngsters from different ethnicities who participated in the tournament. Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, who was also present, emphasised the importance of such events to bring the community together and congratulated the teams for making the tournament a grand success.
Shri Ram Mandir, India, and Fiji-Indian were among the Indian teams representing the tournament from Pool A and B. Teams in the other pools included Rwanda, Myanmar, Iran, Congo, Burundi, Nepal, Sri Lankan Tamil, Chile, NZ Police and Ethiopia in the men’s category. Karen Burma, New Zealand, England, Wise team and Tuvalu participated in the women’s category.
Each of the four pools played 10 matches of 30 minutes each. Shri Ram Mandir, comprising players from 15 to 50 years of age, lost all their four matches.
Amid games, Caribbean Steel Drum band performed to entertain the sportsmen and audience.
The tournament was organised by Community Waitakere and supported by NZ Police, Auckland Council, Northern Football Federation, Trust community and Human Rights NZ among others.
“The goal of the tournament was to celebrate cultural diversity between different ethnic groups, and I think we have achieved it. We look forward to making this tournament an annual event,” said Maj De Pooter, one of the organisers of the tournament.
Twenty men’s team and five women’s team participated in the first Ethkick West Football Tournament last weekend organised at the Starling ground in Ranui, West Auckland to bring together different communities and celebrate New Zealand's cultural diversity through a shared passion for football.
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Twenty men’s team and five women’s team participated in the first Ethkick West Football Tournament last weekend organised at the Starling ground in Ranui, West Auckland to bring together different communities and celebrate New Zealand's cultural diversity through a shared passion for football.
Afghanistan triumphed over Nepal in the men’s category while Tuvalu defeated New Zealand to win the gold for the women’s team. Both winners scored 1–0 against their opponents.
Although Auckland saw strong winds and rain on Saturday, the weather could not dampen the spirit of the sportsmen.
Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, who was present at the event, commended the enthusiasm of the youngsters from different ethnicities who participated in the tournament. Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, who was also present, emphasised the importance of such events to bring the community together and congratulated the teams for making the tournament a grand success.
Shri Ram Mandir, India, and Fiji-Indian were among the Indian teams representing the tournament from Pool A and B. Teams in the other pools included Rwanda, Myanmar, Iran, Congo, Burundi, Nepal, Sri Lankan Tamil, Chile, NZ Police and Ethiopia in the men’s category. Karen Burma, New Zealand, England, Wise team and Tuvalu participated in the women’s category.
Each of the four pools played 10 matches of 30 minutes each. Shri Ram Mandir, comprising players from 15 to 50 years of age, lost all their four matches.
Amid games, Caribbean Steel Drum band performed to entertain the sportsmen and audience.
The tournament was organised by Community Waitakere and supported by NZ Police, Auckland Council, Northern Football Federation, Trust community and Human Rights NZ among others.
“The goal of the tournament was to celebrate cultural diversity between different ethnic groups, and I think we have achieved it. We look forward to making this tournament an annual event,” said Maj De Pooter, one of the organisers of the tournament.
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