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Recently we were made aware of the Homeless World cup , which takes place in Scotland next month. Tariq Ali tells us more about it, and asks for your support. A more worthy charity is difficult to find, as everyone should have a roof over their heads.You can also follow him on twitter at @aliboomayeAn estimated 100 million people are homeless worldwide with as many as 1 billion people lacking adequate housing. The characteristics and causes of homelessness around the world are complex and varied. Homeless people experience social exclusion and stigmatization, economic hardship and poverty, and physical and mental health problems.TheHomeless WorldCup(HWC) exists to help end this crisis in all its forms. Everyone deserves a home – it’s a fundamental human right.Along with people like Colin Farrell, Irvine Welsh, Emmanuel Petit our very own team captain is an ardent supporter for the organisation and has been since 2014 and says,“The HWC gives some of society’s most marginalised people a chance to represent themselves, their team, and their country, and a chance to inspire others.”The HWC returns to Scotland for the first time since 2005 when it was staged in Edinburgh. This year the competition will be held in George Square, Glasgow that will be converted into an outdoor street football venue for the event, with three purpose built pitches with seating.Up to 100,000 of spectators are expected to attend the tournament, which will start on Sunday 10 July and run until Saturday 16 July. Entry is free every day to matches, and tickets are not required for these. If you can’t make it along STV Glasgow and STVEdinburgh will show live matches sdaily, direct from the city’s George Square. Viewers will also be able to watch the best bits of tournament in two highlight programmes.Through each country’s official National Partner, those who are homeless – for which there are dozens of different definitions across the world – have the opportunity to enter transformative programmes from which they can build a brighter life. The HWC Glasgow2016 is the culmination of a year of progress for each country and player involved. Teams are invited to Glasgow following an application process, alongside an assessed scoring system that includes analysis of each National Partner programme’s activity over the last 12months.In total, 64 teams6 (both mens and women), representing 52 countries, will come together to celebrate and highlight the year round life changing work of the HWC National Partner network. Scotland is ranked fifteeth and seventhrin mens and women categories respectively and the teams have just been announced. bFive hundred and twelve players will arrive in Glasgow each with their own story to tell, their own point on a journey to create a better life for themselves.As the Sports Minister for Public Health & Sport, Aileen Campbell says;“The chance to represent your country on the national stage can be a powerful and inspiring incentive, and through this tournament we can energise and engage people who, for whatever reason, have become socially excluded.”The equally inspirational organisations Bala sports and Street Soccer Scotland Balwill be intrinsically involved in the event too with Bala providing the specially commissioned Fairtrade certified balls. The footballs are high quality, hand or machine stitched and not only as well as being high performing piece of sports equipment for the players – they also helpthe men and women in Pakistan who make them achieve a better life for themselves and their families through a fair price and safe working conditions. They also benefit from the extra Fairtrade Premium to invest in things like free healthcare, education and clean water systems.In addition to the football matches Senscot, Sthe social enterprise support body, and HWC will also be hosting a series of free inspiring workshops in the City Chambers. see showresource for more details on these.As you can tell football when used as a tool for change can and is delivering social impact in communities across the world.The range of programmes and types of impact are somewhat mind-blowing and in Scotland alone vary from teaching the benefits of play to toddler and parents to tackling homelessness, from engaging young males with mental health problems to the use of football history to help dementia sufferer and not to forget the huge upsurge in the walking version of the beautiful game encouraging older members of the population to be both active physically and re-connected socially.Come along to Homeless World Cup and cheer on the teams and let’s hope Team Scotland can become World Champions!Tariq Ali(@Some links to browse…
As someone who has experienced homelessness through no fault of my own, the thought that you do gooder types believe that organising a 5-aside tournament is going to help ease the suffering for so many, which is increasing year on year, it just isn’t palatable. I blame the churches who most certainly don’t practice what they preach. HH
Schoosh,
You are a clown son!
And your opinion mean ‘ZILCH’, as a human being your a complete nonentity. While our churches are adorned with ‘gold’ rather than the needy, say’s it all about modern religion. Homelessness can happen to anyone, just be thankful you’ve not experienced it. Yer know my Da’ so don’t be calling me son. NOB
” Ronny Deila is a soccer Sensei ”
And you call me a knob? Lol
Raising awareness is the goal here Skoosh. Many reason people are homeless include mental illness, fleeing domestic violence, drug & alcohol issues, lack of social housing. You canny blame the church for aw that surely. Sounds like you have a roof over yer head the night, bit of compassion for those that don’t wouldnay go amiss. Blaming the church is a cop out IMO. How would you tackle homelessness and the causes of it? Gen up question btw, if yi can be arsed, if no then that’s cool.
Homelessness and Poverty, two of the most disappointing and disheartening elements of our society.
The conditions that a large number of families are living in is heartbreaking.
People, families that are affected by Poverty should be receiving a lot more help, encouragement and education to get people on their feet.
This is something that means a lot to me, it is the reason I support Celtic, reading about the formation of our club and what it gave to a community in Poverty and without hope, it gave people hope and a focus in their lives, something to believe in.
How anyone must feel living on the streets is unimaginable and incomprehendible, my heart goes out to folk with nothing, all I hope for is their circumstances to change and they can go on and have a better life.
For fuck sake life is too short, can we not help people along the way!
HH
Monti,spot on. I think most Scots and Irish understand poverty and being an outsider. If Celtic won nothing but kept to its charitable aims, I would still be proud to be a bhoy. This football tournament allows people some time at having fun and being treated with respect: that’s pretty important too.
I’ve often thought that our country is dotted with huge empty mansions and royal residences. Lots of spare rooms there!
Devoy,
Completely true!
The manager of the Cambodian team in this is a right guid Tim-honest!
Jimmy Campbell.
He’s been doing this for years.
HH,Jimmy. Make sure you mail me when you’re over.
Banned again?
Monti when the churches adorn themselves with gold rather than help the needy, say’s everything about modern religion. I may be a clown, but your not my father, so don’t call me son. Nob
…mean while the house of lords & parliments roof is leaking.
Am an atheist Skoosh, really got no time for religion and all that goes on with it, but again simply blaming the church is letting the real culprits off imo which are the policy makers, and we aw know who they are.
Aye OK Daniel son…..
Wax on Wax off…
Bosmans won’t apply in Scotland. Three foreign players allowed only. Is this true?
So johansen. Simunovic. Erik boyata Effie. Bitton Bailey. Rogic and more. Have to be whittled down to three
Paddy McCourt is the ballon d or of the homeless football world ?
So if you’re playing at home in the homeless World Cup then your committing fraud ?
Homelessness is fucked up in this day and age especially in a norther European winter there should always be shelter and food available.
All of us can be homeless in a flash. Every human being should be sheltered, fed and clothed by their fellow human beings. Scotland should pave the way in this.
Absolutely!
Devoy..especially if yer hoose burns doon ( sorry, couldnay resist it )
HAIL HAIL
Cera liquescense in terra!
Liquescens