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A COMMUNITY footballing event has been held to help youngsters get fit and healthy in between learning.

The seven-a-side football tournament held in Audley saw 90 teams from across the county across six groups take part in a two-day event designed to help community cohesion.

The weekend event was organised by local group Inter Madrassah, which specialises in increasing the participation of children in sport. It is the third time the annual event has been held.

Moulana Tayyab Sidat, the founder of Inter Madrassah, came up with the idea for the project whilst working as a teacher at a Madrassah, an Islamic place of learning.

He said: "When I was working at the Madrassah, I realised that local children would come in the evenings to learn, but they had no time to take part in any sporting activities.

"I felt that if we were able to set up a project which attempted to rectify this problem, it would be an exciting opportunity for the children, and could also create a better understanding between the teachers and the students and create champions for the future."

Six different tournaments for six different age groups were held at the Audley Space Building in Queens Road, Blackburn.

The event has been made possible after Inter Madrassah successfully obtained a One Game, One Community Development Grant from national anti-racism in football campaign Kick It Out.

The tournament has also secured the backing of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, Blackburn with Darwen Council and the National Offenders Management Service.

Piara Powar, Kick It Out's director, said: "We are delighted to be supporting projects such as Inter Madrassah, which strive to make genuine progress and contribute to their community in a positive and meaningful way."

Teams from outside the Islamic community were also invited to take part.

Mr Sidat said: "It has been great for community cohesion because everyone has entered into the spirit of the competition and thoroughly enjoyed themselves."

8:32pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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