Gaza Sunbirds head to London for charity football tournament

Gaza Sunbirds, Palestine’s para-cycling team will be hosting a London charity 8-a-side football tournament from 4–6pm on Sunday 24 May at Market Road Football Pitches. The event is open to players and spectators of all levels and genders.

It marks a new chapter for the team’s football for Palestine series with the addition of partner Baes FC and more food courtesy of Hiba Express and Altamura Bakehouse.

A Gaza Sunbirds spokesperson said:

Everything people have loved about our previous football events is back. But this one has a new dimension. Between the Baes FC partnership, new raffle prizes and kindly donated pastries and pizzas, we’ve built something that reflects the spirit of what we’re raising funds for – a team that refuses to stop moving, no matter what.

The Gaza Sunbirds are Palestine’s para-cycling team, formed in 2020 by a group of amputee athletes with a shared dream: to represent Palestine on the world sporting stage. Over the past 27 months, they have gained global recognition for distributing $520,000 worth of aid across the strip and competing as Team Palestine at international races, currently placing fourth in Asia.

Proceeds from tickets, donations, and food sales will go directly towards their courageous humanitarian work as well as global goals such as entering the first ever Palestinian cyclists at the Paralympics in 2028.

The squad’s international staff and volunteers have been hosting events to raise funds and awareness for the Sunbirds and to keep Palestine in the world’s hearts and minds. Sunday’s tournament marks the fifth in the community football series and is in partnership with Baes FC – London’s football team for women, trans, and non-binary people of Asian heritage.

The collaboration raises the stakes: the winning team will go on to face Baes FC in a special “final boss” showdown, adding competitive drama to an event already known for its inclusive atmosphere and community spirit.

Gaza Sunbirds Community Football for Palestine highlights

• 3 group stage games per team, plus semi-finals, finals, and a Baes FC showdown.
• Team and raffle prizes including rare FC Palestina shirts.
• Palestinian and Lebanese food from Hiba Express. Freshly baked Puglian goods from Altamura Bakehouse.
• One food token included with every player and spectator ticket.

Go here for registration, open to teams, individuals (placed into blended teams), and spectators.

Featured image via Gaza Sunbirds