Arakan Journal

By Arakan Journal Staff

KITCHENER, ONTARIO, CANADA — A friendly football match between London Rohingya FC and Kitchener Rohingya LADS United brought Rohingya players, families, and supporters together in the spirit of unity, respect, and community on September 12, 2026.

The match was held at Field 1, RBJ Schlegel Park, 1664 Huron Road, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, giving Rohingya people from London and Kitchener a chance to come together through their shared passion for football.

The gathering also carried a deeper significance for a community whose social and cultural life has been profoundly disrupted by years of displacement. Following the large-scale violence and military crackdown in Myanmar in August 2017, more than 750,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, while Rohingya communities have also become dispersed across countries in Asia and beyond.

For many Rohingya families, displacement has meant separation from familiar communities and the loss or disruption of opportunities to take part in sporting and cultural activities. Against that background, the football match in Kitchener offered Rohingya youth an opportunity to reconnect with one another, build friendships and enjoy sport together in Canada.

Both teams played in a friendly, respectful atmosphere, showing their football skills and competitive spirit while upholding the values of sportsmanship and community. Players and supporters from both cities shared the occasion as members of a wider Rohingya community.

Kitchener Rohingya LADS United won the match 5–0 against London Rohingya FC. While the scoreline gave Kitchener the victory, the significance of the occasion extended beyond the result.

Community football can play a significant role in encouraging teamwork, friendship, respect and unity, particularly among young people. Sporting events provide a space where youth can meet, develop relationships and celebrate their shared heritage while living far from their ancestral homeland.

For Rohingya Kitchener and Rohingya London, the September 12 fixture was more than a football match. It was an opportunity for two communities in Ontario to come together, reconnect and strengthen their bonds through sport.

The match proved how football can serve as a bridge between Rohingya communities — bringing people together around a simple but powerful message:

Unity. Respect. Community.

Match: London Rohingya FC vs Kitchener Rohingya LADS United
Date: September 12, 2026
Venue: Field 1, RBJ Schlegel Park
Address: 1664 Huron Road, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Result: Kitchener Rohingya LADS United 5–0 London Rohingya FC