Ministers visited the Ozone to watch the final day of the Fair-play Festival of Football event, organised by the Belfast Community Sports Development Network, where 360 youngsters from 12 Belfast Primary Schools from across the community took part.
They were joined by former players Mark Hateley (Rangers) and George McCloskey (Celtic) along with their club mascots Broxi Bear and Hoopy Hound.
The project, is broadly based on the current Old Firm Alliance in Glasgow, which has delivered children and youth targeted programmes involving football coaches and players from both clubs for the past four years.
Praising the work of the event organisers and congratulating the participants Ministers also welcomed the involvement of the Celtic and Rangers clubs.
Minister Donaldson said: “It is great to see so many children from different parts of the city playing together. Sport is all embracing and many lifelong friendships are made through playing sports together. I congratulate all these young people who have taken part in this Football Festival. They are great role models for today’s youth.”
Minister Kelly congratulated the young players on their footballing skills taking part in the event. He said :"For many years soccer has been seen to be divisive in our society. But this events shows that sport can be a unifying activity. Bringing young people together, to play, to be active and to forge friendships. As ministers with special responsibility for young people as well as tackling sectarianism we are delighted to lend our support to this initiative."
The game was the conclusion to the eight week pilot project.
Notes to Editors:
1. The event was organised by the Belfast Community Sports Development Network and the Community Sports Development Unit in partnership with the “Old Firm Alliance”.
2. Media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9052 1375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
3. The participating schools are Cliftonville, Blythefield, St Malachy's, Nettlefield, Gaelscoil na bhFál, Edenbrooke, Bunscoil an t Sléibhe Dhuibh, Holy Family, Forthriver, Mercy, Taughmonagh, Oliver Plunkett Primary Schools.
