IRISH CLUB Bohemians have announced they are teaming up with Palestine Sport for Life.
The Dublin team’s aim is to increase awareness of human rights violations in Palestine and raise much-needed funds to support access to sports for children in the camp of Tulkarem in the West Bank.
A new away kit, which carries the Palestinian colours, is part of the initiative.
Part of today’s statement read: “10% of the profits from the jersey will provide sports equipment to the Palestine Sport for Life project in Tulkarem. The project empowers young girls and boys to realise their right to play, through football, and helps them to develop their life skills. It also provides educational opportunities and promotes education in keeping with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“As well as providing finances to Palestine Sport for Life, Bohemian FC will use its social media platforms to highlight the brilliant work of the charity in Tulkarem with monthly updates and reports from the camp. The lives of Palestinian children are difficult and they face daily human rights violations, we want to communicate this to our fanbase and beyond and assist in improving their lives through sport.
“In Tulkarem, Palestine Sport for Life supports children from Tulkarem Camp as well as Tulkarem refugee camp and Nur Shams refugee camp. The Tulkarem camp was established in 1950 and is one of the most densely populated refugee camps in the West Bank. Built on an area of just 0.18 square kilometres, the camp has an estimated population of 21,500, and there are over 1,600 children attending school.
“The lack of open areas and playgrounds leave no space for children to play safely. The Nur Shams camp, located about three kilometers east of Tulkarem Camp also has no open spaces, and children have no place to play except for the school playgrounds. Crowded living conditions strain relations within the home and directly impact the residents’ well-being and health.
“The jersey, which carries the Palestinian colours and a dove icon below the collar, builds on similar jersey initiatives undertaken by Bohemians in recent years. In 2020 the club’s away jersey focused on the integration of refugees in collaboration Amnesty International and in 2021 was dedicated to fighting homelessness in Dublin, in collaboration Focus Ireland and Fontaines DC.
“Most recently, Bohemians partnered with the Marley Family to release a jersey commemorating Bob Marley’s last-ever outdoor gig, in Dalymount Park, raising funds to bring music and sports equipment to refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland.”
The new kit is available to buy here.
