FARE and the Saint Lucia-based charity Sacred Sports Foundation Incorporated have signed a partnership agreement to cooperate on anti-discrimination and sport issues.

Sacred Sports Foundation seeks to assist young people of the Caribbean by providing a supportive and enjoyable environment through sport development programmes. It also mentors local coaches in best training practice and seeks to improve the fitness and health of the target group.

The partnership comes amid challenging times for the world game as a series of unseemly incidents internationally have again raised the spectre of racism in football.

“We have been working with FARE for some time now and are delighted to bring our relationship to a more formal agreement,” said Delroy Alexander, chairman of Sacred Sports Foundation. “This partnership is a perfect reminder of many of the principles our brother stood for and we are delighted to have been chosen as a vehicle to help spread FARE’s global message.”

In remembrance of Keith Alexander
The new three year partnership agreement, which will see Sacred Sports Foundation act as FARE’s Caribbean regional partner, comes on the eve of the second anniversary of the passing of Keith Alexander. Alexander, an instrumental force behind the creation of Sacred Sports Foundation, was the first black professional football manager in the UK, a former Saint Lucia national team player and a leading proponent in the fight against discrimination. He died unexpectedly at the age of 53 on March 3, 2010.

FARE expanding scope
“We are pleased to partner with the Sacred Sports Foundation as we remember the passing of Keith Alexander,” said Piara Powar, the Executive Director of FARE. “We are keen to expand the scope of our work with global partners in each continent and this is an important step to developing a series of partnerships with exemplars in the area of sport and social inclusion.”