The first edition of the All Pakistan Don Bosco Football Tournament was held in 2000. Initially four, exclusively Christian teams took part in the competition but over the years Muslims got involved as the event turned into a meeting and an occasion for dialogue between the two communities.
“Games are a great instrument to promote peace, interfaith harmony and prevent youth from drug addiction”, Fr Pervez Emmanuel, founder of Friends of Don Bosco, explained. “And this tournament in our village has been proof of that.”
This year’s edition was held on 20-24 February with 16 teams from various Pakistani provinces.
To avoid any accusation of partiality “we have Christian and Muslim referees and line men” because the real goal, Father Emmanuel insisted, was “sportsmanship”. All “forms of confessional discrimination were banned.”
Saint John Bosco was the source of inspiration for both the tournament and the NGO “because he did a lot of tireless work for the youth.”
“During my stay at Khushpur parish,” said the Pakistani clergyman, “my goal was to create an organisation and a competition dedicated to sports, inspired by Don Bosco’s example. Today, even though I am no longer parish priest, my work continues thanks to the support of the Church and the bishop. We have at least 100 volunteers who participate in the various activities of the association, including the organisation of the football tournament.”