SPORT
Promoting Fairness, Justice
& Equality within sport
PRESS RELEASE
Race for Sport announces the first “International Conference on tackling Racism and all other forms
of Discrimination” to be held in London on 25th and 26th September 2013, at West Ham United FC.
PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE UK:
LONDON: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, Portcullis House, ‘The Attlee Suite’, SWIA OAA,
19th AUGUST, 2013 @ 12.00 p.m., to 2.00 p.m.
Race for Sport is a Community Interest Company. Working predominantly with all stakeholders, professional
and amateur, within the global sporting arena, we seek to provide moral and legal support, education and
mediation, to those who have faced persecution and or discrimination due to their race, gender, national
origin, disability or sexuality. We also provide sports administrators, with help to develop their own policies, to
ensure that they uphold the law and assist in underpinning equality for all.
The Race for Sports organisation has established a unique international working relationship with the National
Bar Association, and the National Football League Players Association. We have held meetings with the
Helsinki Foundation and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington DC in June and have
established links, in Nigeria; with the Sacred Sports Foundation, Inc., based in St Lucia, the Caribbean; and
with the East African Community Sports and Cultural Department based in Tanzania. All of this, we have
achieved in less than ten months without any funding from any source. Our aim is to be active in all sports
moving the focus from football as things hopefully improve within the game.
Michael Johnson (former professional footballer) commented:
“There are a number of positive initiatives and pressure groups that have taken on the fight of combating unacceptable discrimination, based on race, national or ethnic origin, gender, disability or sexual orientation. The vision created by Race for Sport is to take the lessons learned from these hard working pressure groups and formulate a council of individuals consisting of, human rights lawyers, ex-professional sports men, and women as well as prominent grass roots activists and business men and women, who with their enormous and invaluable experience have the ability to finally bring about the long overdue change. For far too long abhorrent wrongs have occurred with impunity. We aim to make this a thing of the past by working with all authorities in a mutual and collaborative manner to bring about
change and justice for all in all sports.”
D Peter Herbert O.B.E., Co Chair of Race for Sport stated:
“The creation of RFS in October 2012 demonstrated the need to create an international organisation active across all sports to combat all forms of unlawful discrimination. We are seeking to change the environment and persuade those in power and authority of the necessity of change. We aim to add diversity to the faces of those in leadership positions, within coaching and management, and to more accurately reflect the enormous contribution of people of colour who participate in sport across the world. The FA has apparently responded to our proactive stance on race by engaging the services of a leading human rights lawyer to oversee all
racial incidents within football in the coming season. It is our understanding that appointment commenced last week.”
Kirk Master Co – Vice Chair of Race for Sport stated:
“The creation of RFS in October 2012 was directed by the experience of racial abuse and discrimination
experienced by children playing for Nirvana FC and other grass roots clubs. Nevertheless, we are seeking to win hearts and minds whilst changing the environment in which grass roots clubs and players are treated by the football authorities. We wish to see far greater representation of BME coaches, managers and officials reflected in the leadership of County FA’s across the country. The hierarchy of football must more accurately reflect the enormous contribution of people of colour to the sport, especially in the UK and Europe.”
Trevor Hutton Co – Vice Chairman of Race for Sport said:
“As a group we have already signaled to the English football governing bodies, the strength we have within, by representing, assisting and winning battles, for and on behalf of organisations such as Nirvana FC and AFC Wembley. Winning battles against the unacceptable face of racism and bringing about successful prosecution, at grass roots level, where others have failed. We aim to extend this prowess to all those who suffer such injustice.”
John Robotham, the Director of Race for Sport (USA) commented:
“The organisation is delighted to have met with the National Football League Players Association and the National Bar Association to learn from the struggles and achievements of our sister organisations in the USA.
We welcome their engagement going forward.”
DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association
commented:
“We are thrilled to work in partnership with Race for Sport and welcome the opportunity to address these issues of common concern at the International Conference in London. The careers of so many athletes are impacted and can be improved, not only within American football but across all sports.”
Patricia Rosier, the President of the National Bar Association, stated:
“The NBA is proud to stand with Race for Sport in combating all forms of hate speech and racial discrimination that occur within sports. The NBA has an unvarnished tradition of guarding the human and civil rights of all citizens. Sport is a valuable part of our global heritage and must be made safe for people of color to enjoy free from unlawful discrimination. We stand strong in our commitment to correct fouls against justice in all corners
of the globe.”
“Race for Sport” is a campaigning organisation created to oppose racial discrimination and all other forms of
unlawful discrimination in sports
You can book for the conference at http://rfsconference.eventbrite.com
You can find Race for Sport at:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Race-For-Sport/113061468864365
Twitter https://twitter.com/Raceforsport
Desmond Jaddoo