CIRCLE OF FRIENDS MOUHAMED, 07.05.23

This football tournament connects people - international, sporty and fair!

The benefit football tournament for Mouhamed Lamine Dramé took place yesterday with 18 teams, the best weather and an enthusiastic atmosphere.

 Teams were top-class and mixed from hobby teams, district league teams and participants from countless nationalities. In the women's power team, a former Afghan international played in goal. Two teams were playing from MSV Dortmund, the club where Mouhamed had signed up just days before he was shot. The motto "Friendship in competition" was also implemented in a lively manner and the games were conducted sovereignly by the honorary referees. The tournament was led jointly by Babadi, Hannes, Klara and Mohammed, who were already preparing for the event. The wonderfully converted Hoeschpark provided an excellent setting for this internationalist event

As already predicted by the Mouhamed Circle of Friends: "Ridiculous lies don't stop either solidarity or the football tournament!" the tournament turned into an enthusiastic merger. "Football brings people together!" Even if, as one participant said, the occasion was a sad one. In many discussions it was confirmed: "There must be consequences for the perpetrators!". But the government's entire repressive refugee policy was also criticized. As one participant reported: “We refugees are human beings. We did not leave our homeland voluntarily; we had no choice. We hoped for a future here, but it's very difficult." Another participant added: “Something like this shouldn’t be allowed. We work, we pay our taxes. We want to have the opportunity to live here on an equal footing.”

Right at the beginning it was celebrated that the threat of deportation against Alassa Mfouapon due to clear illegality was off the table. The "Alassa Stays!" team played all the more enthusiastically. After the football tournament with over 250 participants, the concert began with the award ceremony. Each participant received a certificate. The James Horst 007 team took first place among the children. FC Qamislo won the 14-18 age group and FC Banjoul won the over-18 category. A wonderful picture of the international composition resulted from the joint final photo with all teams.

After that, the Dortmund singers Levi Maeka and Jah Salah really got things going with Frida Mamades. The performance of a Greek dance group rounded off the evening. They included all participants. We learned a dance in fast forward. Even the onset of rain could hardly spoil the mood. The concert was part of the decentralized city festival "Dortbunt", and we were able to welcome a small activity stand from the city to our festival. Many thanks to the city of Dortmund, the park management and employees on site for the good cooperation.

The day sends a clear signal: The fight for the punishment of all those responsible for the shooting of Mouhamed and against racism for refugee solidarity has gained strength and breadth. Everyone agreed: Let's keep going!