How football gave Rohingya refugees hope and purpose

By Dominic Bossi
Updated August 11 2016 - 11:18am, first published July 30 2016 - 2:56pm
Mohammed Younus addresses the team. Photo: James Brickwood
Mohammed Younus addresses the team. Photo: James Brickwood
The Lakemba Roos and their supporters. Photo: James Brickwood
The Lakemba Roos and their supporters. Photo: James Brickwood

Hamid Ullah's face lights up when he has to present his identification card at the start of every game. Like the 20 players of Lakemba's all age division nine team, having a recognised identity was as far-fetched as playing registered football when he was growing up as a Rohingya in Burma. The closest they got in their native country were social games held in secret deep inside rice paddies, far from the sight of authorities.

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