Ben Nevis 2013

I'm delighted to say that our 15 man team made it to the summit of Britain's highest peak.

"Beinn Nibheis," more commonly known to you and me as Ben Nevis stands 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level. The climb in Scotlands beautiful highlands was gruelling, both physically and mentally.

A massive thank you to Moklisur Rahman who gave me a thigh rub after I seized up near the end. It did the trick. Cheers Chach.

The boys have done a magnificent job and we drove straight back to London after a bite to eat.

In all, we have raised almost £5,000 in total for Human relief Foundation's Global Orphan Programme.

www.hrf.org.uk

Celtic 88

Inspired by the Ben Nevis trip this weekend...

At Hampden on a scorching day
It's Celtic's centenaryGallacher threatens a giant slay
Grandson of Bhoys hero Patsy
 
Then Rogan's chip from the stubble
And with the dices last throw
Mac the Knife leaps from the rubble
Double heads to East End Glasgow

Hoops support make a gala affair
Late Tommy Burns sums it with a gem
"They're here, and they're always there,
and God bless every one of them."

number7
© Emdad Rahman

The "Supermoon"

The biggest and brightest full moon of 2013 graces Earth's skies on June 23/24 - This is from my garden...

Century for Andrea Pirlo

Every effortless pass released
From l’Architetto the Azzurri de l'artiste

Trequartista to Regista

Il Metronomo scores on mode cruise
And the Azzurri never lose

Hundred Pirlo caps at the Maracana

Number7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

R4YM 2013

The weather was brilliant and 750 runners turned out to support the construction of the Maryam Centre.

It was a very enjoyable morning full of lots of smiles and banter. We had an 82 year old cut it with 8 year olds. I passed Imam Abul Hussain on route and caught up with  London Bangla Press Club President Nobab Bhai.

A celebratory full English breakfast rounded off a satisfying morning.

The new Maryam Centre will include:

• Increased prayer space for women and men
• Educational facilities for girls
• Health and fitness centre for women
• Expanded range of women's services and projects
• Improved facilities for funeral service
• Visitor and exhibition centre

Readers can donate here.

Rushanara Ali MP pops into Stepney FC under 12's training session

Rushanara Ali visited our Stepney FC training today at the Haileybury Centre.

The drizzly weather was not enough to put off the youngsters excited at the prospect of meeting their MP.

Rushanara provided a short and inspirational talk followed by a lively Q&A session. Questions posed by the attendees included what her favourite team was; (Arsenal), player; (David Beckham), her support of women's football and favourite position if the Bethnal Green & Bow MP had perchance made it as a pro footballer; (striker). Rushanara did come unstuck when asked who was Westminster's best footballer.

Welcome visits like this are inspirational to the community's young people and with her similar background, the Munch Bunch were able to relate and be inspired by their MP. Thank you from all at Stepney FC.

Jose Mourinho – The special one returns

Kings Road lays out the red carpet
Bugle sounds on Stamford Bridge way
It’s that same guy, with the same heart
The Portugeezer has returned to the fray

Passionate nomad with love for adventure
With Rafa goes the verbal joust shows
Explorer returns on Portuguese Day
Fresh from giving Barca a bloody nose

Madrid shattered records with “The Special One”
West London calls at the grand old age of fifty
For now Jose’s the “The Happy One”
"I am where I want to be.”

Number7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Eve of Euro 2013 Film of Palestinian Football

In the autumn of 2011 Philosophy Football met Honey Thalijeh, then captain of the Palestine Women's Football team. Inspired by what she said about what football meant to her country Philosophy Football promised that when Euro 2013 opened in Israel they would be in Palestine.

From 5-18 June Israel hosts the second biggest international team tournament in European football, the Euro 2013 Under 21's Championship. It’s the biggest international sporting event ever held in Israel. And England have a decent chance of winning.

But on the other side of the wall Israel built football is played and watched in Palestine under the most abnormal of conditions. Massive restrictions of movement, 24 hour surveillance and illegal settlements and land grabs, yet on the football pitch, as recognised by FIFA, Palestine plays football as a nation.

The film, shot over the past few days will help to break this silence. On Tuesday it was premiered in Ramallah at the HQ of the Palestine Olympic Association and simultaneously released on YouTube.

This week Philosophy Football also launched their Palestine Football Supporters Club T-shirt for a game with no borders, no walls. The shirt is just £17.99 - £5 OFF - For the opening week of the Tournament, usual price £22.99. Sizes S-XXL and womens fitted. Available here.

The shirt has been produced to popularise the cause of Palestinian football. This shirt will fund this first film and future initiative of this sort.

The link to the film is here.