Sport

Charity football fun

September 21 - September 27, 2022
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Gulf Weekly Charity football fun
Gulf Weekly Charity football fun
Gulf Weekly Charity football fun
Gulf Weekly Charity football fun

Gulf Weekly Mai Al Khatib-Camille
By Mai Al Khatib-Camille

 Young footballers from across the kingdom will be lacing up their boots and kicking for a charitable cause next month ... in a bid to raise funds while also having fun.

The registered, non-profit organisation Al Aatah Legacy is staging the second annual football tournament on October 7, for boys and girls aged eight to 10, to raise funds for a library project that is close to their hearts.

The event will be held under the patronage of Bahrain Trust Foundation chairperson Dr Fatima bint Mohammed Al Balooshi.

“Our first annual football tournament in October in support of the Bahrain Breast Cancer Society was a huge success. As a small non-profit organisation, our aim is to support the people of Bahrain and other communities around the world as much as we can,” said Al Aatah Legacy’s secretary general Fatema A Rasool. “The event will be held at Winners Academy and organised by volunteers of all ages.”

The group had raised BD617.943 last year and hopes to garner more for their current cause, in collaboration with the Bahrain Trust Foundation.

“Charity is all about generosity and empathy,” added Rasool.

“Our main goal is to raise more funds than the past year to support our project in collaboration with Bahrain Trust Foundation to build a library for children in a school in Kerala, India.

“Libraries are essential, especially in poor areas that don’t have access to the Internet and other educational resources. The funds raised will be donated to Bahrain Trust Foundation.

“On the other hand, we want to host a tournament in which all players will compete and have fun while supporting a charitable cause.”

Previously, the Legacy was named the Fatima Bint Resq (FR) Project. It was founded in May 2020 by Shaikh Rashid bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, the charity’s chief executive, in honour of his late grandmother Shaikha Fatima bint Resq bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa.

The vision of supporting the community continues to resonate with the group through a board of big-hearted individuals and volunteers.

“Donating is a selfless act,” added Rasool. “As individuals, it gives us a great sense of responsibility and empowerment, knowing that you have played a role in changing something for the better. It is very important for us at Al Aatah Legacy to encourage  Bahraini society as a whole to partake in any charitable activity as this harnesses the power of the community, and gives people a purpose and sense of responsibility.”

Last year, 10 teams took part in the tournament while spectators enjoyed a small carnival set-up which included a series of activities such as basketball and darts.

There were also food trucks, coffee and dessert stands as well, with a percentage from all sales donated towards the cause.

The final number of teams participating is yet to be confirmed and registration is still open for the event that will kick off at 3pm on October 7.

For details, WhatsApp 32313116 or follow @alaatahlegacy on Instagram.







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