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Homeless World Cup kicks off

September 16 2011
The Scotland team looking pretty happy... Photo: Homeless World Cup ?Ǭ© 2011 The Scotland team looking pretty happy... Photo: Homeless World Cup ?Ǭ© 2011
 Ferocious competition to get onto teams and support from Man U for those who succeed

 

The last week of August saw the beginning of the ninth annual Homeless World Cup, which kicked off in Paris with a game between France and Portugal held near the Eiffel Tower. The competition involves over 500 homeless men and women from 48 countries, and, organisers say, gives players their best chance of rehabilitation. Over 70 per cent of participants in previous tournaments have succeeded in beating their addictions, or finding themselves jobs or homes.

The French footballer Emmanuel Petit - part of France’s famous 1998 World Cup-winning side - was on the pitch for the first match with Mel Young, who founded the tournament in 2003. Young, who also co-founded the Big Issue Scotland, said in a statement that “the impact of this competition is profound.”

“The tournament has engaged over 100,000 homeless people since it started and over 70 per cent of participants have changed their lives for the better,” he said. “The Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup is an opportunity for homeless people to move from being invisible to standing proud on a global stage, and become the true ambassadors of their country that they are.”

To qualify, players have to have been homeless for the past year, or asylum seekers in the country they wish to represent. Competition for a spot in each national team has been fierce - in Mexico alone, over 17,000 people tried out for a place.

The England team for the tournament is made up of eight young men from cities across the country, who have been supported by the Manchester United Foundation. Reds manager Alex Ferguson said: “I’ve heard they’ve been training hard. The players have done well to make the team, being selected from hundreds of people and it’s a fantastic opportunity for them. I wish them the best of luck. If Scotland don’t win, then I hope the England team will bring the trophy home.”

For many players, their time in the tournament gives them a unique opportunity to escape from other problems in their lives. “When I play football, I feel good,” said Sylla Faouly, of the France team. “I don’t have to get worked up any more. I am at ease.”

STOP PRESS: As we go to press it has been announced that Scotland raised the cup on 30 August. They beat Mexico 4-3.

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