Football fever took over ADB Stadium at John Ilhan Memorial Reserve in Broadmeadows Valley Park on Friday, January 12, with the Timor Cup final.
The game brought an end to two weeks of international competition, with the cup’s successful return after a 10-year hiatus.
This return has included clubs from Australia, Timor-Leste, New Zealand and the UK hitting the pitch at Greenvale’s sporting grounds in front of fans, friends and dignitaries.
The revamped competition, which first began following Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002, is a chance for East Timorese communities across Australia to celebrate their culture and ongoing connection to Timor-Leste.
Hume mayor Naim Kurt said Hume has a proud and long enduring friendship with the East Timorese Government and people.
“Through our 20-year friendship with Aileu, our community has raised thousands for development projects in East Timor,” he said.
“[This has fostered] a community-to-community friendship that goes beyond typical international donor relationships.”
Council said Hume has a large East Timorese community and events like this play a critical role in strengthening cultural and social ties between the two nations.
In recognition of the strong diaspora community, Hume council provided hosting club Greenvale United a $18,750 events grant ahead of the tournament, plus up to $6250 in playing services.
The tournament is backed by the ‘Friends of Alieu’ partnership between Hume and Merri-bek councils, which has been supporting community development projects in the Timor-Leste municipality of Aileu since 2001.
It’s hoped that with Hume’s successful hosting of the 2023-24 Timor Cup, the event will become a fixture in future years, hosted in various Australian cities and in Timor-Leste, council said.
