UNISON activist and Virtual Branch coordinator Seán Brady would like to thank everyone involved in the Anti Racism World Cup 2009, especially the many UNISON members who helped make the weekend’s events such a success. With teams from three continents and many of our newest neighbours in Belfast and Ireland represented it was a weekend to remember. Despite the fact that the Builders were still working on tournament day to prepare the way for Athletico Madrid at Donegal Celtic on Tuesday night everything went without a hitch. In fact I think some of the men and women playing in the anti racism world cup would have given the football giants a run for their money. With over twenty teams arriving in the end it was a brilliant turnout. 

Friday night gave us time to meet new and old comrades and friends from across the world, to share ideas and opinions and have a few drinks and craic, with our very own west Belfast Suggs from Madness making an appearance for entertainment.

Saturday saw 20 teams battle it out for the coveted world cup trophies and medals. With the Ireland Palestine solidarity team winning the tournament overall and the Congolese team coming in as runners up, we could not have had two more appropriate winners of a world cup more about solidarity and humanity than anything else.

And to end the events we had the honour of Harry Owens addressing the delegations and locals with one of the late Bob Doyle’s finest speeches, giving a context to the events that even Bob and his comrades who fought in the Spanish civil war would have been happy with. 

Finally Pól Mac Adam and Leg of Duck sang the night away, as new friends and old danced and partied in an expression of solidarity, understanding and humanity befitting of Belfast.

Roll on next year and ARWC10!!!