Football Tournament in Amersfoort Faces Cancellation Due to Success

A football tournament in Amersfoort attracted such a large weekly crowd that the local municipality has decided to halt games this weekend due to neighborhood disturbances. Hundreds of Eritreans gather weekly at the fields of CJVV and Quick clubs to play football, drawing people from across the country, reports RTV Utrecht.

While the event is lively, nearby residents report increasing noise nuisance. The fields are available for use on Sundays, and the gatherings began with a small group of Eritreans about eighteen months ago.

The central location of Amersfoort made it a convenient meeting point, and the group grew through social media. As popularity surged, participants also used the nearby Quick’s field.

An extra-large tournament was planned for this Sunday, said Sports Councilor Ben van Koningsveld, attracting people even from Switzerland and Sweden. He stated, “This cannot go ahead,” and halted the events for now due to neighborhood complaints.

Local resident Bas Verstraten noted issues with parking and noise early on Sunday mornings. The players also bring speakers and microphones for music and live commentary.

They lack access to toilet facilities, leading to incidents like a participant urinating in a neighbor’s garden. Club presidents find the events enjoyable but note organizational challenges, such as leftover trash and damage to facilities.

Van Koningsveld is seeking a new venue, recognizing the positive social and sporting impact. Amersfoort resident Hadish Mehbratu, a key figure in the Eritrean community, highlighted the event’s social value, mentioning there are no political tensions among the participants.

Efforts are ongoing to find a suitable new location.

Source: NOS

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