fCoptic Orthodox Football Tournament Association

I have a dream....that one day in the mellow fields of Stevenage, Copts from all over this great nation can unite together in fellowship, in brotherhood, in harmony, to the sound of a rolling ball on freshly cut pasture.

That one day we can all join together with love in the name of football; that brother can come to brother, and sister can come to sister, irrespective of their colour, height, waist-size or ability, and that we can all speak in the universal language of football.

I have a dream that our people will one day be judged not by the size of their kirshe, but by the content of their footballing genius.

My fellow Copts, I have this dream today.

That by our fellowship, we can divulge the dormant ingredient in our genetic framework; that we can show the world our talent, our gift, our ability, to the glory of our Lord.

And to this purpose, we give you COFTA – the Coptic Orthodox Football Tournament Association.

It is our dream, and our ambition, to bring together Copts from all over the United (States of) Kingdom, that we may work collectively to uphold a tradition that lies deep within our roots. To no longer hide behind the shadows of Hany Ramzy (the only professional Coptic footballer), but to promote the upbringing and nurture the development of fine athletic individuals.

COFTA aims to provide an opportunity for Copts from all over the UK to come together and take part in mutual enjoyment of sport. Not only does this give us an opportunity to meet and interact with other members of the body of Christ, but also provides us with the chance to utilise, enjoy, and hopefully improve on talents that God has given us.

COFTA’s current duties include the arrangement of the Annual National Coptic Orthodox Football Tournament, and hopefully this will soon be expanded to organising the National Coptic Orthodox Premier League, arranging women’s football tournaments, and supervising sports events during sports days and the annual conferences.

With your help and support, we hope to expand COFTA even further, such that our dreams become reality, and we can benefit the youth of God for the glory of His name. And for world peace!!

And remember, Play Football, Sleep Football, Eat COFTA.

Michael Shenouda COFTA President, Amir Michaeel COFTA Chief Executive Chairman

‘COFTA is a fantastic idea, it has really helped me in my career and I hope it can inspire everyone like it inspired me…’ Ronaldino, 29, A.C. Milan and Brazil

‘Absolutely fantastique. Ze mesiuers at ze COFTA have alwayz been behind me, and wizout zem, I couldn’t have achieved what I have. Great work. Tres bien, merci beaucoup, aurevior!’ Tierry Enry, 31, Barcelona and France

‘yeah, u know, erm, COFTA, erm, has always been, you know, there for me and Vitoria and my family, and erm, you know, supported me in times of bad stuff. It’s really erm, you know, good’ David Bekham, 33, L.A. Galaxy and England.

'yea blood, i fink COFTAs heavy and people dat fink anyfin ova dan dat iz bare haterz' Reo Ferdynand, 30, Man Utd and England.