Homeless World Cup kicks off
22 September 2006
The fourth Homeless World Cup opened in Cape Town on Sunday, as football teams from 48 countries gathered to "kick off global poverty" in a street soccer stadium built on the site of Nelson Mandela's first public address after his release from prison in 1990.
The event brings together homeless people from as far and wide as Afghanistan, Argentina, China, Brazil, England, Ukraine, the US and Australia.
The tournament, taking place on the city's Grand Parade, against the backdrop of Table Mountain, is expected to draw up to 100 000 spectators - and millions more via webcam on www.homelessworldcup.org.
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To support the tournament - and stand a chance of winning a trip to the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World
Cup - SMS the word GLORY to 36698. Each SMS costs R5 and conditions apply.
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Mbeki and Eusébio
The 2006 Homeless World Cup kicked off as part of South Africa's Heritage Day celebrations on Sunday, with 500 players marching from District Six to the Grand Parade, where the captains of the 48 countries carried their flags past President Thabo Mbeki.
Portuguese soccer great Eusébio kicked the first ball of the tournament for South Africa, who took on Chile in the opening match between 1.30pm and 2pm.
It will be fast-paced, grassroots grit and spirit through to the final day on 30 September, with matches being played from 10am daily. Attendance is free.
Twice as many teams
"Cape Town promises to be the best Homeless World Cup yet, with double the number of countries represented than at previous tournaments, benefiting over 10 000 players throughout the world," says
Homeless World Cup president Mel Young.
"It continues to demonstrate that sport has tremendous power to change lives, to change the world - and what better place to make this statement to the world than in front of the steps where Nelson Mandela spoke for freedom."
Inspirational stories
David Duke, 26, was a star of the 2004 Homeless World Cup in Sweden and returns in 2006 as Scotland's coach.
Duke became homeless when he developed a drinking problem following the death of his father. "Playing for Scotland, my country, was the rope I needed to pull myself out of a dark hole," he said. "It gave me all the tools I need for a confident life, and it is great that I can now help other young people to do the same."
Duke now has his own home, is a qualified football coach and a scout for Scottish Premier League side Falkirk. He has studied for a HNC in community development and runs a boys' football team in Glasgow. He is also a
weekly columnist for The Big Issue, Scotland.
Growing profile
Following the successes of previous Homeless World Cups - Austria in 2003, Sweden in 2004, Edinburgh in 2005 - the event is growing in stature.
Nike and European football governing body UEFA have backed the event since its inception, and a number of Homeless World Cup teams are now supported by top football clubs: England is supported and coached by Manchester United, while Spain has links with Real Madrid and Portugal with SL Benfica.
Changing attitudes
According to the organisers, the tournament has helped over three-quarters of its participants to change their lives forever, motivating them to find regular employment, come off drugs and alcohol, pursue education, improve their housing, and even play for semi-professional and professional football clubs.
It is also changing attitudes towards homeless people, who are acknowledged
for their courage and determination and supported in changing their lives.
The concept of the Homeless World Cup was created by Harald Schmied at the International Network of Street Papers Conference in Cape Town in 2001. Social entrepreneur Mel Young co-founded the event.
The Big Issue South Africa is the host of the Cape Town 2006 Homeless World Cup.
South Africa's team, nicknamed Bawofethu (Our Brothers), comprises Zuko Buyambo, James Steenberg, Errol de Villiers, Nathan Abels, Arthur Adams, Xolani Ndamase, Daniel Willeman and Elvis Mchunu.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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