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Far from home, refugee football team in Hong Kong kicks up hope

Solomon Nyassi (L), 26, from Gambia, a member of All Black FC, waits before joining a local team for a friendly match in Hong Kong, China. The team, All Black FC, is the first of its kind in the former British colony and offers a rare opportunity for refugees from more than 10 mostly African countries to integrate with residents. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Updated on: May 25, 2017 10:49 AM IST

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Solomon Nyassi (L), 26, from Gambia, a member of All Black FC, waits before joining a local team for a friendly match in Hong Kong, China. The team, All Black FC, is the first of its kind in the former British colony and offers a rare opportunity for refugees from more than 10 mostly African countries to integrate with residents. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Solomon Nyassi (L), 26, from Gambia, a member of All Black FC, waits before joining a local team for a friendly match in Hong Kong, China. The team, All Black FC, is the first of its kind in the former British colony and offers a rare opportunity for refugees from more than 10 mostly African countries to integrate with residents. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

2/11

Members of All Black FC take part in a training session in Hong Kong, China. Twice a week, this group of mostly African asylum-seekers gathers on a soccer pitch in Hong Kong and trains for its next match against a local side. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Members of All Black FC take part in a training session in Hong Kong, China. Twice a week, this group of mostly African asylum-seekers gathers on a soccer pitch in Hong Kong and trains for its next match against a local side. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

3/11

Sarjo Touray (2nd R), 27, from Gambia, All Black FC goalkeeper, orders food during a dinner. The team was set up a year ago by expatriate Medard Koya, a soccer coach from the Central African Republic. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Sarjo Touray (2nd R), 27, from Gambia, All Black FC goalkeeper, orders food during a dinner. The team was set up a year ago by expatriate Medard Koya, a soccer coach from the Central African Republic. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

4/11

An injured local player is carried by All Black FC players during a friendly match at a playground. Medard Koya noticed his refugee friends struggling to assimilate into Hong Kong society and thought the beautiful game could serve as a common language to help bridge the gap. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

An injured local player is carried by All Black FC players during a friendly match at a playground. Medard Koya noticed his refugee friends struggling to assimilate into Hong Kong society and thought the beautiful game could serve as a common language to help bridge the gap. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

5/11

Solomon Nyassi, 26, from Gambia, a member of All Black FC, plays for a local team during a friendly match. Solomon was on a business trip to Hong Kong three years ago when his father warned him it was too dangerous to return to Gambia in west Africa. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Solomon Nyassi, 26, from Gambia, a member of All Black FC, plays for a local team during a friendly match. Solomon was on a business trip to Hong Kong three years ago when his father warned him it was too dangerous to return to Gambia in west Africa. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

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Solomon Nyassi, 26, from Gambia poses on the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui. Solomon said he overstayed his visa and applied for refuge in Hong Kong. The young Gambian is among 11,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong, government data shows. Authorities have approved just 52 of more than 8,000 asylum claims since 2009. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Solomon Nyassi, 26, from Gambia poses on the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui. Solomon said he overstayed his visa and applied for refuge in Hong Kong. The young Gambian is among 11,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong, government data shows. Authorities have approved just 52 of more than 8,000 asylum claims since 2009. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

7/11

Habib Mamadou Bah, 21, from Guinea, travels with his girlfriend Karin, who is from Hong Kong. Those granted asylum receive HK$1,200 ($154) in monthly food coupons and HK$1,500 ($193) for rent in one of the world’s most expensive cities. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Habib Mamadou Bah, 21, from Guinea, travels with his girlfriend Karin, who is from Hong Kong. Those granted asylum receive HK$1,200 ($154) in monthly food coupons and HK$1,500 ($193) for rent in one of the world’s most expensive cities. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

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Sarjo Touray (C), 27, from Gambia shares a light moment with wife, Yukmi and his father-in-laws at their home in Hong Kong. Human rights lawyer Robert Tibbo says Hong Kong makes it difficult for them to settle permanently in the city. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Sarjo Touray (C), 27, from Gambia shares a light moment with wife, Yukmi and his father-in-laws at their home in Hong Kong. Human rights lawyer Robert Tibbo says Hong Kong makes it difficult for them to settle permanently in the city. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

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Habib Mamadou Bah, 21, from Guinea, is shaved at a barber shop. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Habib Mamadou Bah, 21, from Guinea, is shaved at a barber shop. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

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Habib Mamadou Bah, 21, and his girlfriend Karin lie on a bed at their home, a five-square-metre sub-divided unit. Eric Lee, a local player says that they don’t mind their work and their personality. They just talk about football. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Habib Mamadou Bah, 21, and his girlfriend Karin lie on a bed at their home, a five-square-metre sub-divided unit. Eric Lee, a local player says that they don’t mind their work and their personality. They just talk about football. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

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Solomon Nyassi poses on a street at Tsim Sha Tsui. Medard Koya said the team aimed to promote solidarity and provide hope for other asylum seekers facing an uncertain future far from home. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

Published on May 25, 2017 10:49 AM

Solomon Nyassi poses on a street at Tsim Sha Tsui. Medard Koya said the team aimed to promote solidarity and provide hope for other asylum seekers facing an uncertain future far from home. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS)

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