MSCNI

30/08/2026

30/08/2026

🌍⚽ CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT THROUGH SPORT, CULTURE & GOOD RELATIONS 🤝🏾

What a fantastic day of sport, diversity and community connection as MSCNI marked the International Day for People of African Descent by bringing together people from different backgrounds and generations.

🏆 We hosted a special Novelty Match between our MSCNI Super League 2026 Champions, Yaqeen FC, and the 2025 champions, Northern Ireland Veterans Soccer Team Initiative (NI Vet). Yaqeen FC continued their impressive form and maintained their winning record.

🇿🇼 The day also featured the Windrush Legacy Cup, funded by the Home Office, with Zimbabwe NI taking on a Windrush Team made up of players representing different Commonwealth nations. Congratulations to Zimbabwe NI 🇿🇼, our Windrush Legacy Cup Champions! 🏆👏🏾

🇮🇳 We also celebrated our young people, with India NI Youths 🇮🇳 winning the Junior Super League, supported by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Congratulations to the young players for an outstanding achievement! 🏆⚽

Beyond the football, participants took part in an important Good Relations Workshop delivered by Brian Armstrong, creating space for conversations around respect, understanding, inclusion and building stronger relationships across our communities.
Today demonstrated exactly what MSCNI stands for: using sport and culture as powerful tools to bring people together, challenge barriers and create a stronger sense of belonging.

A huge thank you to all the players, coaches, young people, families, volunteers, partners and supporters who made the day possible.

💬 We don’t encourage competition, we encourage participation.

30/08/2026

🥁 The Powerful Sound of the Nigerian Talking Drum at African Cultural Festival 2026 🇳🇬🌍

One of the unforgettable highlights of our African Cultural Festival 2026 was the electrifying performance of the Nigerian Talking Drum, showcasing the rich musical heritage, rhythm and storytelling traditions of Africa.

As we celebrated the International Day for People of African Descent, the powerful beats of the talking drum brought people together, creating an atmosphere of joy, pride and unity. It reminded us that culture has the power to connect hearts, transcend language and celebrate our shared humanity.

The festival proudly welcomed diverse communities from across Africa, including Kenya 🇰🇪, Senegal 🇸🇳, Egypt 🇪🇬, Ghana 🇬🇭, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Mauritius 🇲🇺, Sudan 🇸🇩, Somalia 🇸🇴, Algeria 🇩🇿 and many more. We were also delighted to celebrate alongside members of the Indian 🇮🇳 and Chinese 🇨🇳 communities, together with our local communities across Northern Ireland, reflecting the strength and beauty of our multicultural society.

Through music, dance, art, food and meaningful conversations, DJ Nero entertained with Afro-beat fusion, we celebrated our shared values of respect, inclusion and belonging while strengthening friendships across communities.

The African Cultural Festival 2026 formed part of the Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme (ICIP), promoting cultural diversity, intercultural understanding and positive community relations across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

A heartfelt thank you to all our performers, volunteers, guests, partners and supporters who made this celebration such a memorable success.

This programme is funded through PEACEPLUS and administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), with support from the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Together, we celebrate our heritage. Together, we build stronger, more inclusive communities. 🌍❤️

30/08/2026

🥁 The Powerful Sound of the Nigerian Talking Drum at African Cultural Festival 2026 🇳🇬🌍

One of the unforgettable highlights of our African Cultural Festival 2026 was the electrifying performance of the Nigerian Talking Drum, showcasing the rich musical heritage, rhythm and storytelling traditions of Africa.

As we celebrated the International Day for People of African Descent, the powerful beats of the talking drum brought people together, creating an atmosphere of joy, pride and unity. It reminded us that culture has the power to connect hearts, transcend language and celebrate our shared humanity.

The festival proudly welcomed diverse communities from across Africa, including Kenya 🇰🇪, Senegal 🇸🇳, Egypt 🇪🇬, Ghana 🇬🇭, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Mauritius 🇲🇺, Sudan 🇸🇩, Somalia 🇸🇴, Algeria 🇩🇿 and many more. We were also delighted to celebrate alongside members of the Indian 🇮🇳 and Chinese 🇨🇳 communities, together with our local communities across Northern Ireland, reflecting the strength and beauty of our multicultural society.

Through music, dance, art, food and meaningful conversations, we celebrated our shared values of respect, inclusion and belonging while strengthening friendships across communities.

The African Cultural Festival 2026 formed part of the Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme (ICIP), promoting cultural diversity, intercultural understanding and positive community relations across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

A heartfelt thank you to all our performers, volunteers, guests, partners and supporters who made this celebration such a memorable success.

This programme is funded through PEACEPLUS and administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), with support from the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Together, we celebrate our heritage. Together, we build stronger, more inclusive communities. 🌍❤️

30/08/2026

🪇🪘🪊🎸🪘🪘🪇💃🏾🎙️
Welcome To African
Celebrating Heritage, Building Inclusion
We are delighted to reflect on the success of the African Cultural Festival 2026, organised by Multi-Ethnic Sports & Cultures NI (MSCNI) in celebration of the International Day for People of African Descent.

The festival brought together participants, community leaders, public representatives and organisations from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to celebrate African heritage while promoting intercultural dialogue, inclusion and positive community relations.

The programme featured:

🎙️Youth and Leadership Panel Discussions

💃🏾Cultural performances

🪘African music and drumming

🪇Art and cultural showcases

💃🏾Traditional attire parade

Intercultural networking and dinner

The event highlighted the important contribution of people of African descent to society and reinforced the value of creating spaces where communities can learn from one another and build lasting relationships.
Our sincere thanks go to every participant, volunteer, performer, partner organisation and guest who contributed to the success of the evening.

The festival forms part of the Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme (ICIP), delivered in partnership with the North West Migrants Forum (Lead Partner), Irish Network Against Racism (INAR), Donegal Intercultural Platform (DIP) and Rural Community Network (RCN)

We also acknowledge PEACEPLUS, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive, for investing in programmes that strengthen inclusion, community cohesion and cross-border collaboration.

Together, we continue to build stronger, more connected communities through culture, dialogue and shared experiences.

30/08/2026

Welcome To African by MSCNI 🎷🎸🥁🪘🎻

🪗🎸 Thank You for Making the African Cultural Festival 2026 a Wonderful Success! 🪊🪘🪇

On behalf of Multi-Ethnic Sports & Cultures NI (MSCNI), I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and supported the African Cultural Festival 2026 yesterday.

It was truly inspiring to see so many people from different cultures and communities come together to celebrate the International Day for People of African Descent through music, dance, art, food, dialogue and friendship.

A special thank you to our distinguished guests, panellists, performers, volunteers, youths, community leaders, partner organisations, photographers, videographer and everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Your passion, commitment and support made the event a memorable success.

Thank you also to everyone who travelled from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to join us. Your presence demonstrated the importance of celebrating our diversity while strengthening inclusion, understanding and positive relationships.

We are especially grateful to our ICIP partners—North West Migrants Forum (Lead Partner), Irish Network Against Racism (INAR), Donegal Intercultural Platform (DIP) and Rural Community Network (RCN) for their continued collaboration.

Finally, our sincere appreciation goes to PEACEPLUS, administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive, for making programmes like this possible.

Together, we celebrated our heritage, strengthened friendships and demonstrated that culture has the power to unite communities.

Thank you once again, and we look forward to welcoming you to our future MSCNI events.

With sincere appreciation,
Jahswill Emmanuel BEM
Chief Executive Officer
Multi-Ethnic Sports & Cultures NI (MSCNI) 🌍🤝❤️

28/08/2026

💃🏾You're Invited – African Cultural Festival 2026! 🎉

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the International Day for People of African Descent at the African Cultural Festival 2026!

👉🏽Saturday, 29th August 2026
🕔 5:00pm – 11:00pm
📍 St Comgall's, Divis Street, Belfast BT12 4AQ
Experience the richness, beauty and diversity of African cultures through:
🎭 Youth & Leadership Panel Discussions
🎶 Live Music & Cultural Entertainment
💃 Traditional Dance Performances
🎨 Art & Cultural Showcases
🥁 African Drumming & Performances
🍽️ Intercultural Dinner featuring African cuisines
🤝 Networking and Community Celebration
Whether you're from an African community or simply want to learn more about Africa's rich heritage, everyone aged 16+ is welcome to join us for this inspiring celebration of culture, unity and inclusion.

This event forms part of our Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme (ICIP), promoting anti-racism, intercultural understanding and stronger relationships across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

🎟️ Admission is FREE, but spaces are limited. Register today!
📝 Register here:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone/WhatsApp: 07788 319061

Delivered by Multi-Ethnic Sports & Cultures NI (MSCNI) in partnership with the Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme (ICIP).
Funded through PEACEPLUS and administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), with support from the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Come and celebrate Africa. Come and celebrate community. Come and celebrate together. 🌍❤️

27/08/2026

🏆⚽ WINDRUSH LEGACY CUP & COMMONWEALTH YOUTH & ADULT MATCHES 2026 ⚽🏆

Get ready for an exciting day of football, culture, community and celebration as Multi-Ethnic Sports & Cultures NI (MSCNI) brings communities together for the Windrush Legacy Cup & Commonwealth Matches, in celebration of the International Day for People of African Descent. 🌍🤝
👉🏽Sunday, 30th August 2026
⏰ 12:00pm – 6:00pm
📍 Coláiste Feirste, Belfast
🔥 FEATURED NOVELTY MATCH – 12PM
🏆 Yaqeen FC – MSCNI Super League Champions 2026
🆚
🏆 Northern Ireland Veterans Soccer Team Initiative – MSCNI Super League Champions 2025

The celebrations will continue with the Windrush Legacy Cup and Commonwealth friendly matches, bringing together players from different Commonwealth backgrounds and communities. 🌎⚽

✨ WHAT TO EXPECT
⚽ Competitive & Friendly Football Matches
🤝 Cultural Unity & Community Connections
👥 Youth & Adult Engagement

This is more than football. It is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, recognise the Windrush legacy, strengthen friendships across communities and use sport to promote inclusion and belonging.

🌍 Uniting Cultures. Celebrating Heritage. Building Futures.

🙏 This event is part-funded by the Home Office.

Bring your family, friends and community along and join us for a fantastic day of sport, culture and celebration!