Tribute has been paid to Keighley teenagers who organised a soccer tournament to raise money for charity.

Proceeds of the competition held last weekend at Victoria Hall, which will top £250, will go towards relief work in Turkey and the Kashmir.

The matches were organised by youngsters who attend sports sessions at the Sangat Community Centre in Lawk-holme.

The 15 and 16 year olds invited teams from other communities in Keighley as well as a handful from Bradford.

The event attracted a total of 25 teams, and Sangat bosses agreed to pay the costs of organising the event and providing trophies.

The trophies were awarded by Younis Qamar, the secretary of Sangat and vice-chairman and director of Keighley Asian Business Forum.

The youngsters gathered sponsorship from local residents and businesses and held a collection among their friends during the matches.

Sangat manager Khadim Hussain says the tournament was 'superb' and showed the positive side of local youth.

He says: "It took 150 youngsters off the streets to play football as well as about 80 spectators. The public gallery was crammed."

"Normally youngsters get a bad press but this is a positive thing. We want to encourage them."

Sangat has decided to sponsor a similar event in the future.

Sports sessions are held at the centre in Marlborough Street at 6-8pm for boys (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and girls (Mondays and Fridays).

Results: under 19s, 1 Keighley Central, 2 AJX.

Under 15, 1 Saddam's Home Boys, 2 Boca Juniors.

Men of the Tournament, under 19 Shakeel, under 15 Hameed.

Top picture: Sangat's five-a-side football tournament organisers, from left, Haider Naqui, Yaser Khan and Nasar Ali, all aged 17.

Right, some of the winners and competitors.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.