Faisal Cup

The first and only football tournament of its kind in Malaysia.

A voice of ~~freedom~~ and ~~opportunity.~~

Refugee children in Malaysia do not have access to formal education. In fact, only about 34% of all refugee children who are of school-going ages here have access to any kind of education programmes at all.

As most sports events take place within the context of school, this means the majority of refugee children are unable to participate in competitive sports.

For children the psychological and physiological impact of displacement is far reaching and often, long-lasting. They are denied many basic rights while in exile, including the right to just be children and have access to play. This is the experience of some 34,000 refugee children in Malaysia.

The Faisal Cup tournament, which has grown from strength to strength each year, provides these children the rare and treasured experience of competing in sports and reaping the benefits of competitive sports.

In sports, we unite.

"Sporting events have the ability to unite people - no matter their origin, religious belief, or immigration status. The Faisal Cup tournament over the years has shown how it breaks down barriers between refugee and non-refugee children, and foster acceptance and understanding among these communities."

– Richard Towle, UNHCR Representative

Story behind Faisal Cup

The Faisal Cup was birthed out of tragedy.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in April 2006, just as the excitement surrounding the World Cup began to build, one of our students Faisal, drowned while trying to fetch an old football he saw floating in the Gombak river.

Faisal and his group of friends had walked home from Dignity for Children Foundation along the Gombak river in Kuala Lumpur. The boys walked along, kicking a ball back and forth. This old and tattered football was the only ball the boys owned, so when Faisal miskicked and the ball rolled past him into the river, he didn’t hesitate to jump in to retrieve it.

At first, he splashed around, laughing and having fun until he lost his glasses and couldn’t see. Then he disappeared from sight. His friends heard a cry for help and at first, thought he was fooling around.

Faisal was actually drowning.

The young friends tried in vain to rescue him from the swollen river but sadly, it was too late. He was caught in the currents of the river.

Faisal never had an opportunity to play football in a safe and proper environment, being raised in a squatter area by parents who were unemployed and unable to afford a ball, let alone send him for training.

Faisal gave up his life just for a chance to play for a RM 20 ball.

The Faisal Cup was initiated to ensure that children from underprivileged backgrounds have an equal opportunity to play in a safe environment. It is to ensure that never again would a child lose their life over something that seems so small to us but is so important to them. It is to build a better tomorrow through the restoration of peace, hope and dignity.

It is to build a better tomorrow through the restoration of peace, hope and dignity.

Faisal Cup stories

Ayub, 15 (Tamil Forum Malaysia)

I am thankful for Faisal Cup because it's always a fun time. What I learned is that losing or winning isn't the main goal. Everyone just bonds and still gets to remain as friends even after the match. It's a special moment when people bond. Football helps me be disciplined and I train every day from 5-7 pm when it is almost Faisal Cup.

Miriam, 16 (Dignity)

We get to learn a lot about others through football. Their strengths and weaknesses, character and behavior. I developed friendships through sports too. I prefer football over netball because I want to show the world that GIRLS CAN PLAY FOOTBALL!

Farhad, 14 (Dignity)

My most memorable moment was in 2015 when my team fought against 10 schools and came out the champion. I learned that we cannot think we can't do it. Throughout the whole time, think positive and know you can achieve it. I played striker this year. Sports teaches me patience and how to keep control of my emotions. You can't just break down and cry.

Reuben, 14 (MEC)

Playing in Faisal Cup helps me make friends with others. It helps me build leadership because my team sometimes is not good and not disciplined, so I have to help coach them. This year is my first year being the captain of my team. Faisal Cup is the biggest and only football tournament I play in. I want to come back and play next year.

Natasha, 15 (Fugee)

I've played defender positions in previous years, and this year I'm a striker. What I love about Faisal Cup is meeting old and new friends across the years, every year. It's good to keep in touch and meet each other every year.

Mohd Ishak, 17 (Dignity)

I would never have developed football skills without Faisal Cup, and that's where my passion grew to be a footballer. My first memory of Faisal Cup when I was 9 - we qualified to the finals, but we lost. I remember feeling angry and crying. Over the years, I have learned how to prepare months ahead, because football requires dedication. We need to be the best that we can be. Being a team member means trying to help each other out, meeting each others' needs.

About Dignity

Our work began in 1998 in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur with only 20 students then. Dignity is now a learning centre with more than 2,300 children ranging from 2-19 years old.

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