Hong Kong to bid for 2012 Homeless World Cup
Hong Kong is set to host a football World Cup in 2012 as local organizers of the SAR team over the past four years confirmed bid for this annual international tournament for the homeless. About 60 countries and territories are expected to vie for championships if Hong Kong would become the first ever Asian host.
Meanwhile, local competitions will kick off in April to select a national squad for this year’s Homeless World Cup (HWC) scheduled for September in Milan, Italy.
Established in 2003, the HWC aims at restoring a meaning to life for those without a home through football training and competitions. The past six tournaments were held in major cities in Europe, Africa and Australia. A follow up survey by the organizers showed that over 70% of the players have significantly changed their lives within a year after the tournament by moving into jobs, education and training, coming off drugs and alcohol, finding homes and renewing relationships with their families.
For the first time in 2008, eight teams competed in the Homeless Women’s World Cup, lifting the number of participating countries to 56, from only 18 in 2003.
Hong Kong was first represented in 2005 by a squad organized by the Hong Kong Society for Community Organization (SoCO) and Wofoo Social Enterprises, with technical support provided by the first division club Kitchee. Last December in Melbourne, the SAR team finished 24th among the 48 nations, the best result so far.
“Performance of our team over the years has earned high regard and recognition. The international governing body therefore encouraged us to bring the tournament, which is supported by FIFA and UEFA, to Asia,” said Alex Chan Wing-pak, chairman of the organizing committee.
“Government and local authorities of all previous host nations have given the tournament very keen support as staging the HWC is the best way to demonstrate a society’s care and concern for the under-privileged.”
“It is because the players are all under-privileged that we need to seek funding every year for sending a team. Later in July, we’ll organize a two-day fund raising local tournament. Individuals and enterprises can render support to this tournament by donating $15,000 to enter a team,” Chan added.
In the meantime, more than 10 social service agencies have committed to encourage and gather homeless people from different districts to join the selection competitions in April.
The “Kick Off Poverty –Road to Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup” campaign was co-organized by Kitchee (Sports Management) Limited, sponsored by Nike, Watson’s water, Plaza Hollywood, Fullrich Company Limited, and jointly supported by Hong Kong Elite Athletes Association, i-Cable Sports, Hong Kong 5-A-Side Football Referee Association, Hong Kong Football Commentators Association, Tai Po Football Club, Hong Kong Christian Service Jockey Club Lodge of Rising Sun, Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship, Caritas Lok Heep Club and Media Evangelistic Limited.
More information will be available by calling SoCO (2713 9156) or Wofoo Social Enterprises (2873 2244), or by clicking http://soco-wofoo-homelesssoccer.hk. More information will be available by calling SoCO (2713 9156) or Wofoo Social Enterprises (2873 2244), or by clicking http://soco-wofoo-homelesssoccer.hk.
For enquiry, please call Organizing Committee member Mr Li Tak Nang at 9412 0705.
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