Hundreds of young people will come together this weekend for one of the largest intercultural 7-a-side soccer tournaments in Europe in Dublin with a celebrated Irish traveller boxer.

40 men’s teams, eight women’s teams and eight under-13 teams will compete with the objectives of tackling racism, challenging discrimination and promoting dignity and respect for all.

An All Stars match will take place on Saturday 8th September featuring Olympic Silver medallist John Joe Nevin, boxing hero Darren O’Neill and a host of celebrated sportsmen and women. The ‘All Stars’ match aims to promote cultural integration and social inclusion through sport.

Perry Ogden, the Executive Chair of SARI said, “It’s great to see over 600 players coming together from all over Ireland - both North and South - to celebrate diversity through football and taking a stand against racism and discrimination. We are particularly honoured to have John Joe Nevin, Olympic Boxing Silver medallist and a member of the Traveller community, captaining a team of All Star boxers.”

The TESCO mobile SARI Soccerfest will take place on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September, 2012 at the Garda and Camogie Sports Grounds, Phoenix Park, Dublin. Admission to the two day festival is free and there will be a wide variety of entertainment for all the family with face painting, clowns, juggling and drumming workshops, FAI soccer skills, GAA ‘Have A Go’ and the Soccerfest Skills Challenge highlighting the Millennium Development Goals. Join in the fun and take on the world!