SPORTS Campaign Against Racism (SCAR) founder Shazad Pervez believes the Yorkshire-based initiative can be as big as the Kick It Out campaign – if they receive the support they need.

Pervez, along with associate Delroy Dacres, started the campaign in 1999 after a local West Indian footballer was arrested and charged for his violent response to racial abuse.

"The referee was not protecting him so he took the law into his own hands and punched the other player," recalled Pervez.

"It was his own fault, and we can't protect that, but we want people to see that they don't have to react that way – that they can come to us and we will fight racism and defend them."

Pervez's drive does not just come from this one incident.

He said: "I'm not blind. I've grown up in Bradford and I know what will happen if we don't put a stop to the racism.

"We can change what is happening to kids in this city. We just need one big grant, one big sponsor, and we can be as big as Kick It Out."

But even while awaiting the funds and support to achieve these ambitions, the campaign is not standing still.

SCAR are currently sponsoring the Bradford Summer Cup, in which 24 teams are competing for two trophies.

It allows Pervez to fully continue his long-standing relationship with football, alongside his part-time role as a scout for Bradford Park Avenue – whose ground will host one of next month's cup finals.

While the tournament is in full swing, with two games every day from Sunday to Thursday being played at Thornton Recreation Centre's 3G pitch, Pervez is already eyeing up SCAR's next steps.

"We have no money to do things but if we can get people involved and businesses giving us money, we can change things in Bradford," he said.

"We want to get volunteers in to help us update our website and promote SCAR online – and pay them when we have the money.

"We want to run courses to get more of the black, Asian and minority ethnic community qualified as referees in football and rugby and as cricket umpires.

"We just want to put more of the black, Asian and minority ethnic community in sport."

The group finals of the Summer Cup are on Sunday, August 6 at Manningham Mills Sports Association (10.30am) and on Sunday, August 13 at Horsfall Stadium (1pm).

To find out how you can support SCAR, who are seeking sponsorship to buy a mini-bus, and their aims for Yorkshire, visit scarunites.org.