Sixteen teams kicked off in the second STAR football tournament held at Bescot Stadium last night, Monday 23 May.

Sporting Khalsa won the competition and beat defending champions University of Wolverhampton FC in the final 2-1.

The tournament was held as part of the STAR programme (Standing Together Against Racism) and `Kick racism out of football’.

All the winning teams were presented with a trophy by Walsall player Mark Kinsella, and every team was given a special STAR football for taking part.

Faiths groups in Walsall have come together to launch a programme of partnership work called STAR (Standing Together Against Racism).

The group’s mission statement is: Being a STAR in Walsall means – respecting our diversity, celebrating our harmony and working together for Walsall.

Aftab Nawaz, from Walsall Multi Faith Forum, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all the teams who have played tonight and also to Walsall Council and Walsall Football Club for organising this event.

“It is an honour to be here at the second tournament, there is also an important message that different communities can come together, work together, understand each other. Football brings people together.”

The sixteen teams were Sporting Khalsa, Cool Runnings FC, Lifelong Learning and Community, Haterton Arms, Carpenters Utd, Homeserve, Lamp Wanderers, Birmingham Asian Development Centre, Housing, Electric Shrews, Walsall Community Wardens, WHG (central), Walsall YOS, Bengeworth United, Sheep Shooters and University of Wolverhampton FC.

Roy Whalley, chief executive of Walsall Football Club, said: “All the matches were played in great spirit. It is great that all teams come together and play in a competition like this with compassion, friendship and co-operation.