"I
was so fortunate to be a part of the small group
that organised the Anthony Walker Basketball Tournament.
From the start, certain key principles were established
in order to ensure that the event spelt the correct
messages to the rest of the UK."
The music you can hear was secially written following the tragic murder of Anthony
Walker. It was written by local artists Yaw and Young Kof. It is hoped that a
single and music video will soon be realeased with all procedes going to the
Anthony Walker Trust Fund.
The first was that the Walker
family gave their approval and set the agenda.
The second was that the day should
be a celebration of the life of an extra ordinary young person.
Thirdly , this tragedy should
be the start of a new way of living with each other - an
opportunity to look forward positively, rather than backwards
negatively.
Fourthly – this was not to be
a Black and White event, rather a Good over Bad or Right
v Wrong event where the good people of Merseyside could stand
up and be counted
The fifth was that no person,
group or company should gain from the event. The only ones
to gain would be those that attended.
And finally , that Anthony's death
should not be used for ‘political' or ‘self-interest' purposes
that might have the reverse effect of polarising people.
For those that attended
the day's proceedings, they were at the Greenbank Sports Academy
and were based round a full day's basketball tournament with
teams from St Helens, Ellesmere Port, Sefton, Liverpool, Ormskirk
and Anthony's own team, City Hoops. The quality of the play
was exceptional for young men under 18 – Anthony's age group.
Despite losing to Ormskirk in the early games, City Hoops got
through to the final to play their victors. However, as if
by natural justice, City Hoops went on the win, and deservedly
so! Gee and Dominique Walker made the presentation of the trophy
to the City Hoops captain who immediately called Daniel Walker,
Anthony's brother, who played in the final, to accept the trophy.
What wonderful justice!
Throughout the day there were activities for young people
in terms of bouncy castles, fire engines, police horses and
the quad bike, drummers, DJ workshops, face painting, basketball
competitions and other attractions kept the 2,000 crowd happy.
We were blessed with marvellous weather.
Thanks must be given to the numerous organisations
and individuals who donated gifts and money for the raffle.
All proceeds have gone into the Anthony Walker Trust Fund.
The
police were part of the day
The
large crowd were all treated to marvellous catering that was
truly multi-cultural. Greek, American, African, Italian, Chinese,
English, West Indian and Liverpudlian meals were provided free
of charge.
During the lunch break
we were all treated to a showcase of local young Merseyside
talent. Breakdancers followed by singers, musicians, dancers
and football jugglers made everyone proud to call themselves
a ‘Scouse'. And everything
was organised by our own young people, both Black and White,
and no one received or wanted any payment.
I felt blessed to
have been a part of this fantastic event. I just hoped that
the national media would pick up the spirit and talent of
Merseysiders.
I can't help but reflect
that the ‘World in
One City' is the hope of a marketing executive's hopes rather
than a reality. Our aim was to use sport as the driver for
a better society; a vehicle where all members of our communities
can be equal and successful. Yet my mind immediately reflects
of the impression that almost all key decision-makers in our
City are white, and usually male. That could be the essence
of the problem.
Van
Gaffney & John Hollis-Davies
Action from one of
the games
I would like to
share an unfortunately very common occurrence with you. Although
sport is blessed, in my opinion, at being able to show other
aspects of society that we can all live, work and play together
successfully, there is a pattern. In the heat of competition
players often resort to verbal abuse. If those comments are
racial aimed at a Black player, the victim often (possibly
with some justification) reacts in an aggressive manner. The
referees and administrators of the game, predominately White,
deal with the symptom and often do not even recognise the cause.
This supports my observations about encouraging Black decision-makers
into all parts of our society.
It is ironic that as we watch events in the southern states
of the USA unfold following Hurricane Katrina; we are horrified
by the overt racism that exists. But it is not just discrimination
based on colour, it is also based on poverty. In many ways
not much different from here?
And
what are my lasting hopes? That the Anthony Walker Basketball
Tournament should become a significant, bigger annual occasion.
I hope that the good people in our City will stand up and
be counted. No longer should we accept the standard of behaviour,
language or attitude of the few. Let us all make a stand
against poor sportsmanship, disrespect, gamesmanship and
the culture of ‘let's take advantage'.
In
terms of positive ideas to help improve cultural awareness
within our extended City: football tournaments are planned
that will see predominately Black teams playing games in mainly
white communities and vice versa.
But most of all, this new way of thinking, this new opportunity,
is not defined by colour but by right and wrong.
