As more than 500 soccer players gather in Mexico City next week for the 16th Homeless World Cup, the tournament is to take place against the backdrop of the death last month of its cofounder, Harald Schmied, at the age of 50.
The Austrian, diagnosed two years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, created the tournament with Mel Young almost 20 years ago to improve the lives of impoverished people through the beautiful game.
The first edition, held in Schmied’s home country in Graz in 2003, was won by the hosts and has been an annual event since.
Photo: Reuters
More than 40 countries now take part, with 400 games of four-a-side taking place in a week-long festival that has garnered support from UEFA and global professional players’ union FIFpro.
Two competitions take place, a men’s/mixed event and a women’s program, with 48 teams set to compete in Mexico in the former from Tuesday to Sunday next week.
However, even with organizers expecting 200,000 spectators and millions of online viewers, the sadness at Schmied’s death will not be far from anyone’s minds.
“He was a lovely person and a great friend,” Young said in an e-mail. “And of course he loved football. He could see the power it had and he was often quoted when he talked about the highlight of the annual event being the look on the players’ faces at the opening parade.”
“That look of genuine happiness, of being included and what life might offer. There is always the same great atmosphere, same friendship and warm-heartedness,” he said. “If there were more people like Harald around in the world then it would be a much better place.”
One player eagerly anticipating kickoff is Marco Chairez, a 23-year-old from Port Townsend, Washington, who is to play for the US.
“I am so honored to be a part of this amazing program that has helped me turn my life around,” Chairez said. “Because of organizations like these, people are able to do something incredibly productive with their lives. As a homeless youth, I know that can be the key to opening many doors.”
The goodwill involved helps facilitate a huge logistical undertaking.
Seventy countries are involved with the Homeless World Cup Foundation and teams are selected by national soccer initiatives, which pay for flights to the host city.
Tournament organizers cover the players’ accommodation, food and travel costs during the event.
“I hope to go and just have fun, play soccer, meet people, make friends and learn from other players,” Chairez said.
Chairez and his teammates might find it hard-going should they play Brazil, the most successful team in the tournament’s history with three titles.
Mexico could equal them if they win on home soil — something they failed to do when they last hosted the event in 2012, losing 8-5 to Chile in the final.
Of course, no sporting event can eradicate the many social inequalities around the world, with Habitat for Humanity estimating that 1.6 billion people lack adequate accommodation.
The UN is still off track in its bid to end extreme poverty, which covers 8 percent of the world’s population. The target is to get an average 1.6 people escaping poverty per second. The current rate is 1.1.
Still, soccer offers a welcome respite from the horrors of living on the streets, and Young said that Schmied’s legacy be celebrated.
“We will miss him for sure, but his final message was typical of Harald when he urged people to turn their sadness into positive energy,” he said.
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