Prestigious award for IFA

Northern Ireland have not only been winning friends on the pitch with their splendid UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign - their national association has been excelling in the field of community relations.

Prestigious award
The Irish Football Association (IFA) has won a prestigious award at the 2007 Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (MAMA) in Dublin, for its highly innovative Football For All community relations programme, and for being involved in the setting up of the new UK and Ireland-wide anti-racism and anti-sectarian Football Without Frontiers body.

'Real progress'
IFA head of community relations, Michael Boyd, explained how delighted the IFA was to be recognised, saying: "We have been involved in a real journey over the last eight years tackling the issue of sectarianism. Real progress has been made working in partnership with supporters, community groups, clubs, coaches and volunteers, and it is great that this work has been recognised.

Positive Interculturalism
"Our involvement in the new Football Without Frontiers UK and Ireland-wide body fills us with pride," he added. "To work alongside Sport Against Racism Ireland, Kick It Out, Football Unites Racism Divides, Concept 11 and Football For All (Scotland) as a founding member of this new group is a real privilege. We are very grateful to the MAMA awards for recognising our commitment to the promotion of positive interculturalism through sport."

Over 270 nominations
There were over 270 nominations involved at the awards ceremony in Dublin. The presentation was made by the Republic's new minister of state for integration policy, Conor Lenihan.