Muhammad Hamza
BALINGA FC have won the Human Relief Foundation Rohingya Cup – after beating Carlton Wanderers 2-0 in the final.
The fundraising football festival took place at Carlton Square Gardens, Mile End, and featured an array of local footballers who turned out in force to support an important cause.
In attendance were local football legends Khalis Miah, Mufi Uddin, Forid Ahmed, Russell Choudhury, Khairul Alam, Ripon Hussain, Jowel Miah, Emdad Rahman, Amin Chowdhury, Abdul Hakim, Muj Rahman, Musthak Chowdhury, B. A. Baracus Fozzlul, Fokrul Uddin Repon Chowdhury, Sorwar Alam and Kunu Miah. Russell Choudhury referreed the final, and the event was supported by Stepney Football Club.
Balinga featured three generations of their family in one team and man of the match Majid Chowdhury scored in each half to secure a convincing win for Thaher Chowdhury’s men. He said, “We have really enjoyed playing mixed ages and abilities. We have three generations of footballers who have played today and we are proud to support the Rohingya.”
Khoyrul Shaheed from Human Relief Foundation added, “The weather was tremendous today and so was the football. We are hugely thankful to everyone who contributed to raising awareness of the plight of the Rohingya.”
Stepney Chair Emdad Rahman MBE concluded, “Though large numbers of the Rohingya are in Bangladesh let us not forget that their whole lives have been turned upside down. It’s down to us to raise awareness of their plight. I’m really proud of everyone for everything today – together we can make a difference.”
•Read more about it: Docklands FC crowned Rohinga football tournament champs Bangladesh Regeneration Trust launches Rohingya trek