DATE: 11 OCTOBER 2001 Sighthill Kick it out festival.

The children of Sighthill Primary school and St. Stephens Primary, Sighthill this week launched a week of action by football’s anti-racist campaign Kick It Out (KIO). Five teams of children from 8 – 11 years old took part in a non-competitive 5-a-side football festival at Powerleague in Glasgow.

There were no winners or losers with all the players receiving a medal from Powerleague and a gift pack from the SFA presented by Robert Docherty football development officer for Glasgow.

Speaking to the children Mr. Docherty pointed out that racism is a big problem and stressed the importance of campaigns like Kick It Out.

The festival was organised by the UK’s top youth football web-site grass-roots-football.co.uk and sponsored by The Scottish Refugee Council.

Peter Barry, Manager of the Scottish Refugee Council said: "The Scottish Refugee Council welcomes this 5-a-side festival organised by Grass Roots Football. Sport is an excellent way to bring people together, to heal wounds and to combat racism. Local fun initiatives such as this are key in the promotion of integrated communities and it is especially important to encourage children from different communities to work and play together."

The week of action is between October 11 and 21 and falls within Black History Month. Activities will take place at football clubs, amongst fans, community groups, schools and youth groups across the whole of the UK.