For Qader Karimi, there is something beautiful about the way a football match brings people together.
Mr Karimi and his family fled tribal wars in Afghanistan in 2005, eventually finding their way to the regional Victorian town of Shepparton.
Twenty years after that fateful day, Mr Karimi donned his country’s uniform and led his team to victory at the second Shepparton Nations Cup in January.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Mr. Karimi said.
Qader Karimi says the Shepparton Nations Cup brings members of the community together. (ABC Shepparton: Callum Marshall)
“Back home, there are no resources, there are no facilities, girls cannot receive education or participate in physical activities, but here things are changing.
“For the Afghan community, it’s probably one of the best things that has happened here, being at the Shepparton Nations Cup.“
Shepparton is home to a thriving Afghan expatriate community and is considered a multicultural hub in regional Victoria.
Mr Karimi said the competition had had a number of positive impacts on the local Afghan community.
“It brings hope to people,” he said.
Qader Karimi competes in the grand final of the Shepparton 2025 Nations Cup. (ABC Shepparton: Callum Marshall)
Bring people together
The Shepparton Nations Cup was launched by Abbas Al Najar in January 2024, following a similar Iraq Cup competition which took place the previous year.
Mr Najar said the success of this competition had sparked something bigger.
The recent Shepparton 2025 Nations Cup Grand Final attracted a large crowd. (ABC Shepparton: Callum Marshall)
“Other communities saw how big it got and they all said to me, ‘We want to play too.’”
he said.
“So I thought, ‘Why not do something…so everyone can get involved?'”
Mr Najar said the crowds had increased this year, with the last edition attracting 1,300 football fans.
Abbas Al Najar (centre) says it is important to see Shepparton’s diversity on full display at the Cup. (Provided: Abbas Al Najar)
A reason to smile
This year’s competition showcased the diversity of the region with 10 participating teams: Afghanistan, Nepal, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Congo, Turkey, Albania, Italy and Australia.
Safar Ibrahimi is the head of the Afghanistan Home Team Committee and President of the Goulburn Valley Afghan Youth Association.
Safar Ibrahimi says the Afghan team’s victory has given the Shepparton community a reason to celebrate. (ABC Shepparton: Callum Marshall)
He said the Nations Cup gave people a reason to smile.
“We have been going through a very difficult time in the last two years, here and abroad,” Mr Ibrahimi said.
“The country has fallen into the hands of not very nice people.
“Our community found a reason to celebrate, come together and have a little fun for a little while.“
Mohammad Haidari is the manager of Afghanistan’s Nations Cup team. (ABC Shepparton: Callum Marshall)
It’s a sentiment shared by Mohammad Haidari, who leads the Afghanistan team.
He said the competition brought all his players together.
“Every family is made up of friends,” he said.
“(They) come here to enjoy the game and they all know each other,”
he said.
More funds needed
Raz Baqeri is the president of the Melbourne Afghan Soccer Association (MASA), which organizes tournaments for the Afghan community.
The association’s competitions for men, women and juniors have even hosted teams from New Zealand and the United States.
Raz Baqeri says football competitions are a positive thing for the Afghan community. (Provided: Raz Baqeri)
Mr Baqeri and other MASA members came to Shepparton for the 2024 Nations Cup.
He added that it was important that these competitions receive the support of governments.
“We have to support it because it’s an event that does good for the community, it’s a positive event,”
» said Mr. Baqeri.
“This prevents teenagers from engaging in activities that are not very useful or positive to the Australian community.
“(These events) help them a lot.”
