Homeless World Cup Organisers Appeal To Blair To Help Africa
Following the banning of five African football teams from the UK, Burundi, Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria and Kenya, on the grounds that they are too poor, the organisers of the Homeless World Cup have appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene and let the African teams take part in the tournament. The annual global street soccer tournament, which kicks off global poverty, is taking place in Edinburgh Wednesday 20 July – Sunday 24 July 2005.
The appeal is backed by Kumi Naidoo, Chairperson of GCAP (Global Call to Action Against Poverty), the umbrella organisation for the Make Poverty History campaign.
Mel Young, Co-founder Homeless World Cup, said: “We have been working closely with the relevant government departments in Scotland and the UK to ensure the participation of the five African teams in the 2005 Homeless World Cup for many months, and the organisation was given praise and encouragement by them all. We were extremely surprised when the five teams were rejected at the last minute. They are all incredibly upset and demoralised by the ban.”
Kumi Naidoo, Chairman, GCAP the umbrella organisation for the Make Poverty History campaign said: “The Homeless World Cup has proven to be a very powerful and successful tool in tackling poverty by returning people their dignity and self-respect. The damage caused by preventing the African teams from participating is considerable both for the individual players and for the countries concerned. I strongly back this appeal to reverse the decision in the final moments.”
Mel Young added: “There is much talk that Britain will lead the way in tackling poverty in Africa and this has to be applauded. Grass roots projects are key to any strategy when making this a reality and the Homeless World Cup has a proven successful track record. There is still a small chance and we are appealing to Mr Blair’s sense of compassion and fair play and asking him to intervene on behalf of the Homeless World Cup and the African players and countries.”
The Homeless World Cup is a street soccer tournament uniting teams of homeless people from around the globe to kick off global poverty. Organised by the International Network of Street Papers the HWC is sponsored and supported by UEFA from the footballing world, The United Nations and Nike from the corporate sector. A fast growing, fast-paced, highly competitive, dynamic sport full of courage, inspiration, grit and energy it is capturing the imagination of millions worldwide and proving sports massive potential for social inclusion.
Homeless World Cup teams are supported by several world-class football teams – England is supported by Manchester United and Spain has links with Real Madrid – and it is hoped their lead will spark support and involvement from other clubs in setting up soccer academies around the world to further increase the global impact of street soccer and the Homeless World Cup.
Log on to http://www.streetsoccer.org/ for further information.
Notes to Editors
About the Homeless World Cup
The Homeless World Cup (http://www.streetsoccer.org/) is an international street soccer event that highlights the positive power of sport by creating a unique setting for homeless people and people in poverty. Mel Young and Harald Schmied created the concept in 2001 at the Annual International Network of Street Papers Conference (INSP), which works on practical solutions for homelessness and poverty. Founded in 1995 the INSP today acts as a network for more than 60 street papers worldwide.
In providing excluded people with access to football, the Homeless World Cup generates a new social impact for a marginalised group. The feeling of belonging, challenge of working in a team, the process of regaining a health- oriented attitude towards life, self esteem and last but not least the experience of fun.
The Scottish Executive, EventScotland, SportScotland and the City of Edinburgh Council are supporting this year’s event in Edinburgh, Scotland. The United Nations has also pledged its support in recognition of the important part the Homeless World Cup plays in the lives of the disenfranchised. The event also attracts support from UEFA and a number of large football clubs including Manchester United and Real Madrid support teams in their own country.
About the INSP
The International Network of Street Papers (INSP), from which the ‘Homeless World Cup’ event has emerged, today comprises of more than 55 member papers in 28 countries, ranging from South Africa to Russia and from Germany to the USA. The organisation, based in Scotland, was set up in 1994 to promote the concept of the street papers as means to address social exclusion and poverty in society. Street papers create employment and help to develop employable people through income derived from the sale of their publication and from a range of tailored social support programmes. The INSP has a combined annual circulation of over 27 million and 17 different language groups and lends its full support to the empowerment and personal development offered by participation in the Homeless World Cup.
2004 Homeless World Cup Impact Report Summary
Figures from the Homeless World Cup suggest that sport can make a real impact on problems experienced by homeless and excluded people. After the Homeless World Cup 2004, more than 90% of people said that it had a positive impact on their lives and 74% had made significant changes in their lives as a direct result of their involvement.
Research carried out amongst the 204 players involved in the 2004 Homeless World Cup has produced some staggering statistics:
188 players 92% have a new motivation for life.
78 players 38% found regular employment.
95 players 46% improved their housing situation.
70 players 34% have pursued education.
56 players 27% have addressed their drug dependency.
146 players 72% continue to play football after the Homeless World Cup.
16 players have even been signed professionally or semi-professionally in a playing or coaching capacity by football clubs.