Surrey Stars players raise aloft the Jayden Memorial Cup, the team beat Rewa 3-0 in the final at the Bear Creek Park in Surrey
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Local Sports
The notion that FANCA tournament is for Sunni Muslims to participate is downright skewed, says former none Fijian member of team Canada.
The player, who represented the nation on more than one occasion argues that race has no place in sports, let alone for Muslim tournaments.
The 'star' of 2001 team said he feels the need to speak out in the wake of an ongoing feud over the 'Racist, Sunni and Shia' comments uttered on an ethnic radio by former football coach, Ahmed Buksh.
He said there have been an influx of Shia players in the all British Columbia Muslim Sports Association run events.
"Shia players have for years been a part of the BCMSA sanctioned soccer tournament", said the former star, holding back his identity.
"I rubbed shoulders with Shia and Sunni players' alike on the Canadian FANCA team and in the Muslim Nations Cup.
"We may be from different parts of the word, speak different languages but we are believers of Islam first. We are all one".
FANCA Federation, senior Vice President Mohammed Azam Khan in an earlier interview with Sportsone said the inaugural FANCA tournament in (1997) set a Sunni benchmark.
He said changes came about in 2001 on the behest of the member nations, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America (acronym) FANCA, to include none Fiji Muslims/ imports.
"There is a clear stipulation of the rule, now the member nations must adhere to the rules, policing is not within our means".
The former player said people who are playing the race card and think Shia players have no place on any team should look to the triumphant 2016 team Canada to see the make up of the team.
"What is wrong though, is that FANCA Federation and local association must admit Muslim tournament is for all Muslims to participate, irrespective of their racial denominations".
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