By Ant Wingard
The Bachar Houli Cup will return to Leyshon Park in 2018 with games commencing tomorrow, August 10.
In 2018, the competition will engage more than 5000 Islamic school students ages 12-17 across Australia.
An initiative between the AFL Multicultural Program and current Richmond premiership player, Bachar Houli, the Cup provides an inclusive environment for the Muslim community and delivers an introduction of Australian Rules football to school students.
The program also aims to transition players from an Islamic background into the mainstream football pathway of club and representative football.
This year, three schools will be involved in the Bachar Houli Cup.
After winning the carnival in 2018, Australian International Islamic College Brisbane will return for games against Wisdom College and Australian International Islamic College Gold Coast.
AFL Queensland Diversity Coordinator – Talent, Peter Yagmoor, was excited for 2018’s incarnation of the Bachar Houli Cup and looked forward for the next wave of Muslim footballers to emerge.
“The Bachar Houli Cup is an important fixture due to that fact that we would love to grow the number of Islamic participants playing football in Queensland.”
“Adam Saad and Bachar Houli are the perfect example of Islamic footballers at the elite level. If we can find a few more of them, that would be great.”
“It’s also a great opportunity for those that have had little Australian Rules football experience to get involved and hopefully fall in love with the game.”
The 2018 Queensland Bachar Houli Cup will commence on August 10 at Leyshon Park Yeronga.
Bachar Houli Cup Fixture
Game 1: AIIC Brisbane v Wisdom College
Game 2: Wisdom College v AIIC Gold Coast
Game 3: AIIC Gold Coast v AIIC Brisbane
Photo: AFL Media/Sean Garnsworthy
