These Slum Kids Will Represent India In Amsterdam At The 2015 Homeless Football World Cup

India is a football crazy nation with a population of 1.2 billion which is more than most European/South American countries. But with the national side languishing at 156th place, India is unlikely to participate at the World Cup finals anytime soon.

But there is a team from India’s ill-famed and infamous slums, that is making us proud. They are some homeless people who are either in social care or supported accommodation, with varying backgrounds, ages and interests, but one thing they all have in common: love for football.

The Homeless World Cup is an annual football tournament that brings together teams comprising of underprivileged people from 64 different countries. India is currently ranked 35th in the world.

India, represented by the men’s/mixed team and women’s team, will be featuring in the competition that kicks off in Amsterdam on September 12. This year’s tournament will include 48 men’s/mixed teams and 16 women’s teams, including five countries making debut appearances: Israel, Grenada, Belgium, Finland and Egypt.

Football can be a power for good and no sport motivates more people globally than football. Thousands of homeless people across the world will be simply using football to change their lives completely.

In India, the Delhi-based non-profit organization Slum Soccer, which aims to fight poverty and combat homelessness by working with very poor young men and women living in the slums, is the official partner. A sustained and intensive coaching camp has brought about a tremendous improvement in the skill level of the team that makes them confident of a great showing.

Meanwhile, they are trying to raise the money that will used to cover the cost of flights and visas for the squad, on a crowd-funding website, to help send Team India to the Netherlands.

Undoubtedly, this is one big step by which the grass-roots system in the country can be improved while also making a real difference in the lives of thousands of these deprived people.

Although they are going to compete with 63 other footballing nations, it doesn’t matter where they finish. What is more important is to see these players change their lives for the better through football.

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