Bachar Houli Cup fast approaching
By Brendan Day
The NSW/ACT edition of the Bachar Houli Cup, a football competition for Year 9 and 10 students attending Islamic schools, will be held at the Blacktown International Sports Park on 28th August, with Bachar Houli himself set to be in attendance.
Houli, a star midfielder for the Richmond Tigers AFL side, is the first devout Muslim player to reach the game’s highest level. His namesake cup was first contested in 2012 and proved to be a successful venture, recently being nominated for a Beyond Sport Award in recognition of its use of Australian football as a vehicle for social and cultural change. Additionally, the federal government recently pledged $150,000 towards funding the Cup.
The Bachar Houli Cup, developed in conjunction with the AFL’s Multicultural Program, aims to provide Islamic students with an opportunity to engage in AFL that might not otherwise present itself. There are five schools so far who have indicated that they will be in attendance at the tournament, and with 12 players a side play two 20-minute halves on a smaller field, it delivers a transitional experience for young players who are looking to play with a community club.
Much to the delight of his fans, Bachar Houli will be attending the Cup himself. An AFL Multicultural Ambassador, Houli will be on hand to select eight young players to attend the National Bachar Houli Academy, a program for elite and promising Islamic footballers. The program is an all-expenses-paid event and will be held in Melbourne from 27-29 September 2013.
