On Saturday 17th August Osmani Trust hosted the 8th Annual Tower Hamlets Community Cup at Mile End Leisure Centre. This year’s THCC was sponsored by Canary Wharf Group, supported by Tower Hamlets Sports Development and Tower Hamlets Homes. Over 40 teams took part in one of the borough’s largest youth football tournament. Like last year young people were also able to benefit from the taster sessions in other sports as well a Community fair organized by TH Sports Development Team and Tower Hamlets Homes.
The players represented various London Boroughs, including Tower Hamlets, Newham, Islington, Hackney, Camden and Lambeth. In total more than 400 young people engaged positively in a friendly but very competitive tournament. The morning saw all teams play their group games with teams qualifying for the knock out stages played in the afternoon. The quarter and semi-finals were tightly battled; the final of the U12s even went to sudden death penalties.
The finals for of all age groups were a treat for the spectators watching. In the finals we saw an impressive display from One Hackney FC, who won two finals, convincingly beating East London Sports Association in the Under 11’s group, and Vallance in the Under 12’s, after a tense penalty shootout. In the under 14s final, crowds witnessed an intense match as, Newark Youth London beat Soul Youth. The under 16s final was a thrilling display of strength and defiance to the very last minute, from both teams, as Somers Town Future beat Vallance 4 – 2.
Simon Butler, Sports Capacity Manager for London Borough of Tower Hamlets said, “As well as the Football the event catered for the whole family with activities including Tennis, Basketball, and New Age Kurling, Face Painting and Bouncy Castle. The Healthy Smoothies produced by young people cycling to create power had queues all day. The fun activity and Football competition lived up to expectation and delivered a spectacular event for the Tower Hamlets Community and its Neighbors. The Osmani Trust has done wonders for Community Cohesion, and we hope the great work continues!”
Reshad Rassool a young person taking part in the event said “its amazing to see an event that has so many different races and cultures coming together and shows me when the community come together we can create something that we hope stays in the young people’s memories forever.”
Zubair Matin, Somers Town Future manager said, “We had a wonderful day and not just because we won the hard fought under 16s!! Children friendly well organised event!! That’s why we always like being invited back.”
Sana Miah, senior health and sports development officer at Osmani Trust said, “We would like to thank everyone for taking part in this year’s event and would like to extend our appreciation to Canary Wharf Group, Tower Hamlets Sports Development and Tower Hamlets Homes for supporting us in this annual event”.