Digital interactive programme designed and created by Hashtag Digital Media
CONIFA returns to UK!
In 2018, CONIFA organized its CONIFA World Football Cup in London in collaboration with Paddy Power. The tournament was a tremendous success with massive media love from all over the world.
Five years later, it is time for CONIFA to return to the United Kingdom and its capital for the upcoming CONIFA Asia Cup 2025.
CONIFA held the inaugural CONIFA Asia Cup 2023 in Montijo, Portugal, from August 4th to 8th, 2023. Tamil Eelam FA, the historic first champions of the CONIFA Asia Cup, is the local organizing committee for the CONIFA Asia Cup 2025.
The CONIFA Asia Cup 2025 will have several historic milestones:
The first CONIFA event to integrate sustainability
The first CONIFA tournament to utilize AI sports media technology for real-time highlights and real-time scouting statistics
Competing the CONIFA Men´s Asia Cup 2025 are:
Tibetan National Sports Association
East Turkistan FA
Tamil Eelam FA
The CONIFA Asia Cup is a continental championship that serves as a qualification tournament for the next CONIFA World Football Cup. The participating teams will also have an excellent opportunity to gain points in the CONIFA Asia ranking system.
MATCH FIXTURES
TAMIL EELAM vs TIBET
Tue 01 Jul 2025 17:30
EAST TURKISTAN vs TAMIL EELAM
Wed 02 Jul 2025 14:30
TIBET vs EAST TURKISTAN
Thu 03 Jul 2025 14:30
FINAL MATCH
1st Place vs 2nd Place
Fri 04 Jul 2025 17:30
SPOTLIGHT ON THE HOST TAMIL EELAM FA
Tamil Eelam FA is a member of CONIFA, an umbrella organisation for Football Associations outside FIFA. It provides an opportunity for the Tamil community to express their love for football and believes everyone deserves an equal opportunity. TEFA, made up of Tamil players and staff across the globe, aims to integrate more Tamil footballers into the international football community.
The Tamil Eelam Football Team was founded in 2003 in Killinochi, Tamil Eelam. Made up of skilled players primarily from the North and East of the island, the team regularly competed against other local sides. By 2007, however, escalating political restrictions and systemic oppression forced it to disband, removing any opportunity to compete internationally.
For over six decades, the genocidal state has committed widespread atrocities against the Eelam Tamil population - including mass killings, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and the destruction of cultural and historical landmarks. The Mullivaikkal Massacre in May 2009 marked a horrifying peak, when a state-declared “No Fire Zone” was bombed to maximise civilian casualties.
In response, the Tamil diaspora worked to raise global awareness of the Eelam Tamil struggle, history, and identity. Across academic, sporting, and creative platforms, Tamil youth displayed excellence, rooted in a deep commitment to human rights. In 2012, groups such as the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) and Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) united at the Global Tamil Youth Conference to form the Global Tamil Youth League (GTYL), which formally launched the Tamil Eelam Football Association (TEFA).
Now part of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), TEFA oversees both the Men’s and Women’s National Teams of Tamil Eelam, who compete in international non-FIFA tournaments.
The Men’s team made its international debut at the 2012 VIVA World Cup and became a founding member of CONIFA in 2013. They later competed in the Tynwald Hill Tournament and the CONIFA World Football Cups in 2014 and 2018. In 2023, they proudly won the title of CONIFA Asian Champions at the first-ever CONIFA Asia Cup.
A historic milestone came in 2022 when trials were held in Bern, Switzerland, for the first Tamil Eelam Women’s Team. They went on to make history as finalists at the 2024 Women’s CONIFA World Football Cup.
Tibetan National Sports Association
WHERE WE’RE FROM SPOTLIGHT ON TEAM TIBET
Tibet is a land of breathtaking landscapes, from the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas to vast grasslands and ancient monasteries. More than just a place on the map, Tibet is a symbol of resilience, spirituality, and a deeply rooted cultural identity. Our traditions-language, music, dance, art, and faith—have been nurtured over centuries and continue to thrive, even in exile. Despite political challenges, the spirit of Tibet remains strong and everpresent in the hearts of our people.
WHO WE ARE
We are the sons of Tibet scattered across the globe, yet united by our heritage and a shared dream. From refugee camps to cities on every continent, we are students, athletes, workers, and artists carrying Tibet in our hearts. This team represents more than just skill or competition it is a living expression of Tibetan identity, strength, and solidarity. We come together not only as players, but as proud ambassadors of a nation without borders.
WHY WE PLAY
Football is our voice on the global stage. In every match, we carry the hopes of our people and the memory of those who came before us. We play to honor our ancestors, to celebrate our culture, and to tell the world that Tibet lives on. The field becomes a space of healing, unity, and purpose where boundaries fall away and our identity shines. Every goal, every pass, and every moment on the pitch is an act of love for Tibet.
OUR YOUTH, OUR FUTURE
This team is also a torch for the next generation. For young Tibetans growing up far from the land of their ancestors, football offers more than fitness it offers a way to connect, to belong, and to believe. Every time we step onto the field, we send a message: “You matter. Your identity matters. Your dreams matter.” We hope to inspire them to stand tall, to stay rooted in their heritage, and to keep Tibet alive in their words, actions, and hearts.
OUR MISSION
Our mission goes beyond the game. We aim to uplift, inspire, and represent the Tibetan spirit with dignity. We believe in respect on and off the field in perseverance through struggle, and in the transformative power of community. Win or lose, our goal is clear: to show the world what it means to be Tibetan resilient, kind, and full of hope. Through sportsmanship and solidarity, we strengthen the bonds between Tibetans everywhere and invite others to learn our story
THE STORY OF EAST TURKISTAN
Interview with East Turkistan
FA President and Head Coach
Elshat Eslam
The CONIFA Asia Cup 2025 is the first-ever international championship that the East Turkistan FA has joined.
Watch the goodwill message from Elshat Eslam, President of the East Turkistan FA, as they participate in the CONIFA Asia Cup for the first time.
Hear the story of East Turkistan.
“The people of East Turkistan continue to endure one of the gravest humanitarian crises of our time. Under the Chinese regime, they face systematic oppression that includes mass internment in concentration camps, forced labor, cultural erasure, and the destruction of religious and historical sites. Millions of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic peoples have suffered from forced sterilization, family separations, and other atrocities that amount to genocide.”
The CONIFA Asia Cup 2025 represents more than just football; it stands as a testament to a nation’s dream of achieving sovereignty and freedom.
The CONIFA Asia Cup 2025 teams Tamileelam F.A.& Tibetan NSA Tnsa Dharamsala, and East Turkistan FA have diaspora communities spread across four continents: Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. Their shared love for their respective cultural identity keeps them united across the globe.
From the four winds, the President of East Turkistan FA, Elshat Eslam, has brought together the Uyghur footballers to honour their nation and raise their banner on the pitch as a people with the dream of freedom, sovereignty, and victory!
The three participating teams will be in London on 1–4 July and play with all their might for the title of CONIFA Asia Cup 2025 Champions!
Livestream: CONIFATV.COM
Proof of CONIFA’s value and mission is evident in the CONIFA Asia Cup, inaugurated in 2023 in Montijo, Portugal, and scheduled for 2025, from July 1 to 4, in London. CONIFA provides teams from nations whose peoples have endured repressive and genocidal states a platform for their indomitable spirit, allowing them to compete internationally in football, preserve their cultural identities, and represent their nations.
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
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Hashtag Digital Media creates interactive digital magazines and matchday programmes for sports clubs, events, and forward-thinking brands. By blending the traditional feel of print with rich digital features—such as embedded video, clickable links, and real-time updates, we help clients reach wider audiences, increase engagement, and unlock new revenue streams. From grassroots teams to national campaigns, we deliver tailored, cost-effective content solutions that elevate storytelling and bring communities closer together.
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East Turkistan Football Association
The East Turkistan Football Association (ETFA) proudly stands as one of the participating teams in the CONIFA Asia Cup 2025, set to take place in London from July 1 to 5. More than a football team, ETFA is a movement — a symbol of hope for the people of East Turkistan. Through football, our athletes embody our people’s strength, perseverance, and cultural heritage on the international stage. Each match is not merely a contest but a powerful expression of identity, unity, and the indomitable spirit of East Turkistan.
ETFA is a platform for athletes to showcase their talent while sharing East Turkistan’s resilient history with the global community. The team’s formation and participation are remarkable achievements against the backdrop of ongoing oppression under the Chinese regime. Despite efforts to silence East Turkistan through transnational repression, ETFA’s existence reflects resilience and determination — a testament to a nation that refuses to be erased.
The people of East Turkistan continue to endure one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time. Under the Chinese regime, they face systematic oppression, including internment camps, forced labour, cultural erasure, and the destruction of religious and historical sites. Millions of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic peoples have suffered forced sterilisation, family separations, and atrocities that amount to genocide.
The players of ETFA have made exceptional sacrifices to represent their people and their cause. Many endure the deeply painful reality of having family members held hostage by the Chinese regime as a means of coercion. Despite these harrowing circumstances, these athletes remain steadfast, using football as a platform to assert their representation and amplify the voices of the people of East Turkistan, both within the diaspora and those enduring oppression at home.
ETFA embodies the unwavering resolve of its people, demonstrating that no adversary, however powerful, can deter their pursuit of self-determination. The team symbolizes the aspiration to reestablish an independent, free, just, and secular East Turkistan — a vision that represents not only the liberation of its people but also serves as a catalyst for future regional security and global prosperity.
Tamil Eelam Football Association
Tamil Eelam FA is a member of CONIFA, an umbrella organisation for Football Associations outside FIFA. It provides an opportunity for the Tamil community to express their love for football and believes everyone deserves an equal opportunity. TEFA, made up of Tamil players and staff across the globe, aims to integrate more Tamil footballers into the international football community.
The Tamil Eelam Football Team was founded in 2003 in Killinochi, Tamil Eelam. Made up of skilled players primarily from the North and East of the island, the team regularly competed against other local sides. By 2007, however, escalating political restrictions and systemic oppression forced it to disband, removing any opportunity to compete internationally.
For over six decades, the genocidal state has committed widespread atrocities against the Eelam Tamil population - including mass killings, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and the destruction of cultural and historical landmarks. The Mullivaikkal Massacre in May 2009 marked a horrifying peak, when a state-declared “No Fire Zone” was bombed to maximise civilian casualties.
In response, the Tamil diaspora worked to raise global awareness of the Eelam Tamil struggle, history, and identity. Across academic, sporting, and creative platforms, Tamil youth displayed excellence, rooted in a deep commitment to human rights. In 2012, groups such as the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) and Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) united at the Global Tamil Youth Conference to form the Global Tamil Youth League (GTYL), which formally launched the Tamil Eelam Football Association (TEFA).
Now part of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), TEFA oversees both the Men’s and Women’s National Teams of Tamil Eelam, who compete in international non-FIFA tournaments.
The Men’s team made its international debut at the 2012 VIVA World Cup and became a founding member of CONIFA in 2013. They later competed in the Tynwald Hill Tournament and the CONIFA World Football Cups in 2014 and 2018. In 2023, they proudly won the title of CONIFA Asian Champions at the first-ever CONIFA Asia Cup.
A historic milestone came in 2022 when trials were held in Bern, Switzerland, for the first Tamil Eelam Women’s Team. They went on to make history as finalists at the 2024 Women’s CONIFA World Football Cup.
Tibetan National Sports Association
The Tibet national football team represents the cultural region of Tibet in nonFIFA international tournaments under the Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA), an organisation of exiled Tibetans. Many players are in exile and represented by the Tibetan Government in Exile. The team was first formed in 1936, marking the start of Tibet’s journey in international football.
Early History and First International Match:
The modern team played its first international match on 30 June 2001 against Greenland in Denmark, documented in The Forbidden Team. Players were selected through a tournament in Dehradun, India, before training in Dharamsala. Coach Jens Espense had just a month to prepare the squad, who trained on a part-used pitch beside a public road. Despite logistical challenges and political pressure from China — including threats to Denmark — the match went ahead, ending in a 1–4 loss for Tibet.
In 2006, the team competed in the FIFI Wild Cup in Hamburg, Germany. In 2013, they participated in the World Tournament of Peoples, Cultures, and Tribes in Marseille, finishing fifth.
CONIFA World Football Cup Participation:
A major milestone came in 2018 when Tibet qualified for the CONIFA World Football Cup in London - their first appearance in the tournament. The men’s team then competed in the CONIFA Asia Cup in Portugal in 2023. TNSA also hosted the inaugural CONIFA Women’s World Football Cup in Paonta, India in 2022.
In 2024, the Tibetan women’s team was unable to attend the second CONIFA Women’s World Cup in Bodø, Norway, due to visa denial. However, in 2025, both the men’s and women’s teams are set to represent Tibet together at the CONIFA Asia Cup in London — a proud moment for Tibetan football.
Players for Team Tibet are now selected through the annual Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup (GCMGC), named in honour of the mother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The tournament plays a vital role in identifying top talent and preserving Tibetan identity through sport on the international stage.
