Liverpool’s new tournament ‘units the world’ through football
At a time when the British government is trying to divide the people, there is resistance in the heart of Liverpool.
After arriving at the city’s port, people from all over the world settled in Liverpool.
Toxteth has become a cultural hotbed for mixing and integrating diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.
In the 1970s, this area became a kind of ghetto due to rising tensions, largely caused by racial bias within the police force.
Tired of discrimination, Toxteth made national headlines in 1981 when the bad feeling of the riots was at its height
The neighborhood is still considered deprived, but people come together thanks to a strong sense of community. The World in One City tournament, now in its third year, highlights the union between Liverpool and Toxteth.
We know that football has the ability to unite and divide, World in One City definitely serves as the first.
Founded by Imad Ali, who herself has Yemeni heritage, the idea had been in the works for years but had to wait until COVID-19 restrictions were lifted to host the first tournament.
The World in One City is a World Cup-style competition where players from all over Liverpool play for their home country or heritage.
This year, 15 countries and a rest of the world are represented. The teams are: Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, Brazil, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Somali team, Poland, England, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Sudan, Libya, ROTW, Yemen and Bangladesh.
The matches are free and can draw large crowds.
Even some football is of a high standard and the passion is evident.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who played in the FIFA World Cup last year, recently went to meet Ali and some of the people involved in organizing the tournament.
Growing up in West Derby, the Liverpool right-back recalled frequenting the thoroughfare L8, Lodge Lane. “I never grew up here, but I’ve always been down here,” said the number 66.
“I used to cut my hair here; this was where we always chilled out – me and my cousins and that, playing football.
Alexander-Arnold continued to talk about the area, telling Ali, “It’s good to see what you’re doing here man, because it’s needed.”
Ali replied: “Lodge Lane has changed a lot, it’s growing I would say. There is a good sense of community in this community”.
“You can make the idea work, but the community has given it the injection of life.”
The tournament is a real football festival.
Though competitive on the pitch, there is no animosity when the final whistle blows and it is a moving sight to see the goodwill between people from all over the world.
With Curtis Jones, Robbie Fowler, Ian Callaghan and Howard Gayle all having L8 roots, the tournament could also produce some of the stars of the future.
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