Title: Home team takes out National Ethnic Football tournament

Palmerston North’s Omani team beat out Upper Hutt’s UK Kiwi in the thrilling final of the Police run New Zealand Communities Football Cup to become national champions at Arena Manawatu on Sunday.

The team, consisting mostly of players from the local Omani community, lost to their opposition 3-2 in pool play on Saturday, but the Wellingtonians were not strong enough the second time around. At the final whistle the match was drawn 1-1, so five minutes of extra time was played. After neither team scoring, the game was won and lost in the penalty shoot-out after a spectacular save from Oman’s goal keeper, making the final score 5-4 to Oman.

The New Zealand Communities Football Cup is a NZ Police owned and run event; and is the culmination of eight separate regional ethnic tournaments run throughout New Zealand. The winners, or a suitable replacement, of these tournaments compete in this two-day event which was held this year in Palmerston North supported by Palmerston North City Council, Sport Manawatu, Central Football, Frucor, and the Kingsgate Hotel.

“This tournament is a great way for us to raise the profile of police and provides an opportunity for positive interaction amongst ethnic communities and key stakeholders. It was a great success; and an enjoyable experience for all involved” said Constable Darren Paki, Palmerston North Police’s Ethnic Liaison Officer, and chairperson of the organising committee.

“We had great support from enabling us to provide a top quality event and we have had fantastic feedback from teams and other stakeholders.”

The eight teams competing were Somalia (defending champions), Oman (Palmerston North), UK Kiwi (Upper Hutt), Poland (Wellington), Mixed Africa (Auckland), All Stars (Christchurch), Fiji United (Hamilton), and Italy (Nelson).

The Manawatu’s regional ethnic football event, Ethkick, is scheduled for 6 March, 2010, and is a 7-aside format. Registrations are currently open, and enquiries are welcome – contact Kathy McMillan at Sport Manawatu, 06 357 5349.

ENDS

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