Hundreds of futsal players have been competing in a 24-hour non-stop game all in honour of one of the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks.
The fundraising game is a tribute to Atta Elayyan, who was a goalkeeper for the national futsal team and killed at Al Noor on March 15.
The 33-year-old had played 19 internationals as goalkeeper for the Futsal Whites and had been with the Canterbury United Dragons since 2010.
"[Elayyan] was just an absolutely committed professional futsal player, who was just absolutely committed to the game and to the sport," said organiser Thomas Davies.
Futsal is a popular, fast-paced form of indoor soccer, and this weekend's marathon session involved a rotating lineup of players and friends of all ages and abilities.
"We had about 25 people at about half past three this morning. So that's just been incredible, to see how many people still want to play at that time of night." said organiser Hamish Mitchell.
That included strong support from the Muslim community, with about 50 players joining from there.
"The young Muslim community with Friday afternoon prayers, used to go out and play football on Hagley Park before and after the mosque prayers." said Davies.
But many are no longer confident enough to go into the park, so indoor futsal is encouraging them to get back into playing sports.
Proceeds from the charity game will go to Elayyan's family.
"Just to show that we're still thinking of them, and we want to show as much support and love as possible," said Mitchell.
The action finishes on Saturday night with a few moments of silence and prayers, as a mark of respect to the victims of the terror attacks.
Newshub.
