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by Nomadic Chris, 16 September 2008
Beyond fun and fitness, sports empower people from all walks of life. Sports build confidence and allow a person to form an identity, and to get an idea of who they are and where their limits lie. Another glorious summer has come to an end with both Olympians and Paralympians thrilling the world with their feats of athletic prowess and determination; now people can shift their attention to the world's most popular game: football. From the concrete pitches of the Asia Pacific to the dust fields of Africa and the clubs of Europe, football is a passion for millions around the world. This game of the working classes unites communities and provides an outlet for the daily struggles of life like no other.
Globally, as the full national teams begin their two-year, hard fought journeys to reach the World Cup Final in July, 2010 in Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa, another World Cup is about to begin - smaller in scale but definitely as passion-invoking for all involved.
The Homeless World Cup will be held from Dec. 1 – 7, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia, where 56 international teams made up of once-homeless individuals will face off in more than 400 games to claim the title of world champion.
The tournament has grown from its humble beginnings as the brainchild of several visionaries including Mel Young, co-founder of the The Big Issue in Scotland. In the 2003 inaugural tournament in Graz, Austria, 17 teams took part. Past winners include Russia, Italy, Scotland and Austria; past hosts include Gothenburg in 2004, Edinburgh in 2005, Capetown in 2006 and Copenhagen in 2007.
The Homeless World Cup has placed a greater focus on homeless projects around the world. More important than any game victory are the human triumphs achieved by the players; 73 percent of players go on to change their lives, forgo drugs and alcohol, and find homes and employment. Famous supporters of the Homeless World Cup include Eric Cantona, Desmond Tutu and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand.
Sometimes, sports is not just a game, but a way of offering people hope, and a means for them to start achieving their potential. At the next Homeless World Cup, players who have overcome life's many obstacles will make new friends, share stories, visit exotic and faraway cities, experience the thrill of victory in front of fans, and live experiences beyond their wildest expectations. Sports can rebuild broken lives and bring happiness where there was once despair. The Homeless World Cup and the players involved are evidence of this.
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