Soccer has the power to unite people on and off the pitch, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality. For people fleeing conflict and persecution, soccer can play a hugely important role in helping them to settle into a new country and culture, to make friends, stay out of trouble, and get to know their new area. 

It was with these objectives that Malaysian Social Research Institute (MSRI) refugee school started a soccer program for refugee kids in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

MSRI Soccer Academy opened its doors in 2015 to every refugee and underprivileged child living in Kuala Lumpur to join, free of charge. Using education and sport as our instrument, we wanted to create a unique space for refugee children to come together, foster mutual understanding, and break down prejudice.

To nurture and develop players, our dedicated volunteer coaches adopted a comprehensive training program entailing:

• Training exercises 4-5 times per week; 
• Academic environment - perception that participants are students first and players second; 
• Regulated social environment - protected from negative influences and peer pressure; 
• Character-building and development activities - human virtues.

Over the past 7 years, MSRI Soccer Academy has offered a safe platform for refugee children to learn physical education, lead, play, grow, and be empowered. Currently, MSRI Soccer Academy has more than 120 kids (both male and female) from the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa.

Our Soccer Academy has won a total of 18 trophies in different soccer tournaments throughout the 7 years. Some of our graduates have been accepted into private soccer schools in Malaysia to further their soccer development. We have also had children who were successfully resettled to a third country pursue soccer as their career.

As a refugee school, our Soccer Academy faces many challenges. We need help with funding to bridge gaps and get students equipped and on the field. Our goal is to cover costs for:

• transportation 
• training pitch rental fees 
• training equipment, including soccer balls, cones, markers, corner flag posts, practice bibs, ball pumps
• student's playing kits (jerseys and soccer shoes)
• goalie gloves
• sports hijabs
• first aid kits
• tournament and game fees

Please help our students contribute to the betterment of their own lives and improve their living standards by keeping the Soccer Academy up and running.