One for the Good Guys.

Usually, the phrase ‘Ukraine have won the World Cup’ is confined to the dreams of that country’s citizens. On September 13^th, however, that dream became a reality as the eight member team won the 2009 Homeless World Cup in Milan. While the victory might not have the reaches of pride that winning the FIFA World Cup in South Africa might bring, that same pride is measured and equaled by the players, coaches and organizers of all fifty-six nations that competed. This competition is special and here is why:

There are one billion homeless people living in the world today.

This is the line that, upon visiting the organizations webpage, you cannot miss. Here is the other:

Over 70% of the participants in the competition go on to turn their lives around in a positive way.

Consider these numbers that were collected after the 2006 HWC in South Africa:

92% have a new motivation for life (342 players)
72% play football on regular basis (268 players)
89% have improved social relations (331 players)
73% have changed their lives for the better (272 players)
35% have secured regular employment (130 players)
44% have improved their housing situation (164 players)
39% chose to pursue education (145 players)
93 players addressed a drug or alcohol dependency

Let’s look at the roots. In 2001, social progress entrepreneur Mel Young and Harald Schmied were searching for an international language that could unite homeless people around the world (we have learnt how many there are!). The two understood what many of us have known for a long time – one already exists – football. From there they organized the first homeless world cup in Austria. Now in its seventh year, the tournament is bigger than ever. Milan 2009 also included the first Women’s Homeless World Cup. One of our favorite parts is that qualification allows a country's entrance into six tiers of tournaments. Only the top teir being the Homeless World Cup, but every other teir having it's own trophy. At the thetruefootball.com, we like trophies! Also, even though we hate to admit it, Nike's capitalist empire cedes it's greed for a moment to help out too, and we'll be the first to recognize it. We especially like this offer to filmmakers.

This article from goal.com sums things up quite eloquently. There are several laugh-out-loud moments such as the fans of the Australian team screaming “Hey Nicky, you’re so fine. You’re so fine you blow my mind. Hey Nicky.” As the team’s only female member lined up for a penalty kick. That website, and their witty reporter Fiona Crawford, in particular should be commended for their excellent coverage of the event.

This would include, however, the unfortunate organizational deficiencies of the Italians who seem to have tried to barricade the event some miles outside town, away from the tourist masses. While blaming Italians for lack of organization is a bit like blaming the English for lack of culinary prowess or blaming the French for lack of modesty, we do understand the point. Part of the exhibition is also to curb society’s perceptions towards the low-income or homeless peoples’ plight. To outcast them, even accidently, clearly sends the wrong message. This is especially true after the competition in Melbourne 2008 was, by all accounts, such a celebration and success. I have my doubts whether there was any maliciousness involved (other than the coffee scandal mentioned in this article), however, the Italians have given future hosts a useful blueprint on how not to organize...(sorry mom, it's true).

For more information on how to follow this event, they have a well designed website containing hours of research. There is a facebook group page which we will put up on our facebook profile. There is a film narrated by Colin Farrell. You can buy it and/or read an interview with him. They have an internet tv channel where one can watch pretty funny highlights and matches. Most importantly, one can donate to the cause (thetruefootball.com gave 25 pounds, who's matching?)

On the youtube channel’s main page, there is a cool preview of what 2010 has in store when the tourney is in Rio de Janeiro, who’s coming with?

written by Mark Stevens of thetruefootball.com