BRITISH PAKISTAN SIDE SET TO DEBUT
Rugby League history will be made on Sunday (19th July) at the Grattan Stadium when the first British Pakistan XIII make their competitive bow against the Great Britain Under 18s Community Lions, in a curtain raiser to the Engage Super League clash between Bradford and Wigan.
The British Pakistan side has come about thanks to a unique collaborative venture between the Connecting Communities Project, Rugby League European Federation, Bradford City Council, Bradford College, Bradford University and Bradford Bulls.
The side will carry the logos of the RLEF, who have funded their distinctive green, red, white and blue kit because of the cultural ties between Pakistan and Europe and ‘Connecting Communities’ which is part of the Leeds Rugby Foundation.
The British Pakistan side is supported by BARA, the British Asian Rugby Association, whose Director Ikram Butt is also the Manager for the groundbreaking ‘Connecting Communities’ Project.
‘Connecting communities’ through ethnic separatism -- funny how that’s always the way except when we want to enjoy our own company.
Ikram Butt, the first Muslim rugby international, may be tempted to don his boots as part of the initial 22-man British Pakistan squad.
“The team comprises of players born in the UK and Ireland and aims to celebrate our geographical and cultural heritage, which are equally important to us” he commented.
Geographic heritage? Geographic conquest more like - that’s what Ikram and his pals are celebrating and who can blame ’em?
“We are also extremely grateful to Leeds Rhinos who have kindly allowed us to train at their first class facilities in Kirkstall for the past three weeks.”
“Our next venture will be to play against West Yorkshire Police in mid August.”
Do you imagine the Rhinos or the Police would be quite so friendly to a separatist grouping that happened to be White?
No comments:
Post a Comment