Game of football to bring all together

Two friendly games of soccer, the world game, will be played with Orange Indigenous teams taking on multicultural teams as part of national Harmony Day.

Orange City Council’s Services Committee Chair Ron Gander said soccer was a great way to bring people of different backgrounds together.

“It’s good we can explore ways for Orange’s Indigenous community and Orange’s multicultural community to get together, relax, have fun and importantly get to know each other,” he said.

“Soccer is such a universal game and this Friday’s competition is a way to help build bridges between Orange’s many cultures and communities.

“The Harmony Cup is in its third year and was won by the Sudanese United team in 2015 and the Indigenous team in 2016 so in a way, this game will be a decider.”

The under 16s game kicks off at 5.15pm at Waratah Sports Club followed by the opens game at 6.45pm but there will be a mix of free food and entertainment throughout the early evening.

Cr Gander said the purpose of Harmony Day nationally was to celebrate the diversity of culture in Australia and in Orange, there was plenty to celebrate.

“As well as the football, there will be multicultural performances, singing, dancing, music making, drumming in Irish and Latin themes,” he said.

“There will also be themed food with a range of tastings on offer from several cultures.”

The Harmony Cup is put together by a range of community groups including Orange CultureHub , Orange Social Justice Group, NSW Regional Islamic Centre members as well as Orange Multicultural Network.

HARMONY: Christian Dietiker, Balaji Chakaravarthy and Julio Cesarr are looking forward to Friday's clash