Hope - the National Team of Burundi at the Homeless World Cup 2005 Cameroon National team 2005 Youth Academy Zambia Kenya: The Final of the Christmas and New Year Streetsoccer Tournament in Kibera Slums

HOMELESS WORLD CUP LAUNCHES GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR AFRICA Organisers of the Homeless World Cup are embarking on an international campaign for Africa following the UK ban on five participating African football teams - Burundi, Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria, and Kenya. It launches at the start of the annual global street soccer tournament on Wednesday 20 July 2005.

At the opening ceremony – due to parade through the Royal Mile and Princes Street at 12.20pm – each banned nation’s flag will be carried in the procession. Their empty scorecards will be displayed and crossed through.

In Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Nigeria and Burundi at the same time as the Edinburgh parade supporters in each of the banned countries will be marching to their British embassies.

Mel Young, Co-founder Homeless World Cup, said: “Our appeal to the British Government has failed but we will show that these teams are not forgotten. We hope the people of Edinburgh will show their support at the parade tomorrow. ”

A new section has been launched on the tournament’s website
www.streetsoccer.org in which people are invited to register their
objections to the ban. Launched late on Sunday night, the site already carries dozens of postings including one from Kenyan team organiser, Siegfried Milchberger.

He comments: “It is a great sorrow that we were denied to play soccer  in the UK. How can they say that we are too poor to play football!! That was an injustice and means that Africa is still under the powers of the British. My team and I cannot even begin to account the loss we have suffered. It leaves me wondering what London Olympics 2012 has in store for Africa.”

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.

For further information please contact the Homeless World Cup Press
Office: Wendy Richmond on 07866 263242
Or Kat Byles on m: 07901 701 334 e: media@streetsoccer.org

Notes to Editors

About the Homeless World Cup
The Homeless World Cup (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.