Historic match to raise money for men killed in Birmingham riots

Derby County’s Pride Park stadium will be the venue for a showdown between India and Pakistan in a one-off football match billed as the “Clash of the Titans”. It will be history in the making as the game will be the first between the south Asian neighbours on UK soil. But the game takes on a greater meaning with organisers TouchSky Sports announcing the game will raise money for a new charitable foundation being set up in the name of the three men tragically killed during the recent riots in Birmingham.

In the early hours of August 10, Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shahzad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, were killed in a hit and run incident whilst protecting their local community from potential looters. Their deaths threatened to further erode community relations in the Winson Green area of Birmingham as the chances of a retaliation appeared likely. Since then, tensions have simmered down somewhat, thanks largely to the dignity and wisdom of Tariq Jahan, the father of Haroon. Despite his intervention, however, community relations remain delicate.

Speaking about the forthcoming fixture, TouchSky Sports director Mr Peter Virdee said,

“The football match has the potential to provide a very public show of support from the whole community which stood together during the riots and the subsequent sad loss of these three lives.”

He added,

“The lives of these three young men can never be replaced, however measures need to be put in place for the prevention of future incidents and to bridge the divide within the community."

The families of the three men will join TouchSky Sports directors as well as representations from the Football Association in attending the match, where a minute’s silence will be observed and both teams will don black arm bands during the game.

As well as raising money for the new charity, which will be unveiled following the 40-day grieving period, the organisers believe the match will help bring the community together and start the process of addressing those issues that precipitated the riots and the tragic loss of life.

Like many communities across England, the challenges facing Winson Green are enormous. However, this match brings together two nations who have had their differences in the past but are coming together in a sense of solidarity. This event could well represent the first step in restoring some much needed optimism and confidence in the ability of communities to transcend adversity.

For further information and event booking click here

Mathieu Milbourne