The Ghana Ireland Friendship Association’s football club, GIFA Stars, participated in this year’s Intercultural Soccer Fest in Ennis, County Clare in Ireland on Saturday, 21st July 2007. The tournament was organised by the Clare Intercultural Network in conjunction with Clare Sports Partnership, Clare Care, Ennis Garda (Ennis Police), GIFA, Irish Refuge Council and St. Joseph’s Training Centre. This very pleasant event was in line with GIFA’s objective of integrating its members into the Irish society.

During the tournament, the GIFA Stars, who had in the preliminary stages lost 1-3 to Nigeria’s Ennis All Stars, gained revenge by adding the All Stars to their list of causalities by beating them 1-0 in the semi-finals. The Ghanaian heroes reached the finals after a 2-2 draw with the Brazilian team and a 2-1 win over Clare Stars. The final match ended 1-1 after the GIFA stars had struggled to equalise in the 90th minute against a much a superior club, the Garda Soccer Club of Ennis (Police Soccer Club, Ennis); who in the end lifted the trophy by winning the penalty shoot-out. The aim of the intercultural soccer feast was to facilitate the integration of the diverse cultural groups within the county.

The real winners in this event were the eight participating teams who were imbued with a spirit of fraternal cooperation. We feel that events like this can only help all concerned to appreciate cultural differences and riches. It was an enjoyable day and GIFA looks forward to participating in the next tournament with much enthusiasm.

)