48 nations announced for Milan 2009
20 April 2009, From 6-13 September 2009 the City of Milan will host 500 players from 48 nations at the 7th Homeless World Cup, the international football tournament using football to energise homeless people to change their own lives.
A ball can change the world
- 48 nations announced for the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup
- Set in the heart of one of the most football passionate cities in the world
- 6-13 September 2009
20 April 2009, From 6-13 September 2009 the City of Milan will host 500 players from 48 nations at the 7th Homeless World Cup, the international football tournament using football to energise homeless people to change their own lives.
The 48 nations will represent all five continents of the globe, including Argentina to Brazil, England to Germany, Australia to Cambodia, Hong Kong to India, Ghana to Malawi. Italy, two times Homeless World Cup champions will be aiming to regain their championship glory in front of their home crowd.
A street soccer stadium built at the Arena Civic, Sempione Park, the historical venue of the very first Italian National game against France, will welcome an estimated 100,000 strong crowd during the tournament week. They will experience the true grit spirit and glory of street soccer with everything to play for, in the heart of one of the most football passionate nations and cities in the world.
The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is supported nationally by the Ministry of Youth, City of Milan, Province of Milan, The Lombardy Region, FIGC-Italian Football Federation, Cariplo Foundation, Inter Milan, Gazzetta dello Sport and it is one of the main events of the Milan European Capital of Sport 2009. International support comes from Nike, Vodafone Foundation, UEFA, United Nations, Global Ambassador Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Didier Drogba.
Mel Young, Founder & President, Homeless World Cup said: “The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is set in one of the most football passionate cities and nations in the world. This is a phenomenal opportunity for Italy and the City of Milan to unite and show the world the true, awesome power of football to change lives, to change the world. We are confident that the City and people of Milan are preparing a very special Homeless World Cup and in a few months time will provide a warm welcome to 48 nations to show the world that together, united, we can make a real difference.”
There are one billion homeless people in the world, including 50,000 homeless people in Italy. Over 70% of players at the Homeless World cup experience a significant life change; coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, training, repairing relationships, becoming coaches or players with semi-pro teams and social entrepreneurs. Since 2003 the Homeless World Cup has engaged over 100,000 players and has triggered football programmes in over 70 nations.
The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is dedicated to the memory of Candido Cannavò, renowned journalist at Gazetta dello Sport.
Visit www.homelessworldcup.it and www.homelessworldcup.org for more information.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Homeless World Cup (www.homelessworldcup.org): The Homeless World Cup is a world-class international football tournament that uses football to energise homeless people to change their own lives. It has triggered and supports grass roots football programmes in over 60 nations engaging 30,000 players who are homeless all year round. Over 70% change their lives coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, homes, education, becoming football coaches, players and social entrepreneurs.
At the 7th Homeless World Cup in Milan 6-13 September, Arena Civic, Sempione Park 48 nations will be united. The inaugural Homeless World Cup kicked off in Graz, Austria uniting 18 nations. Since then it has gained great momentum in Gothenburg, Sweden (2004), Edinburgh, Scotland (2005), Cape Town, South Africa (2006) and Copenhagen, Denmark (2007) and Melbourne (2008).
Founded by world-leading social entrepreneur Mel Young, the Homeless World Cup is supported by UEFA, Nike, The Vodafone Foundation, Global Ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand.
Nations Participating: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Ukraine, USA, Wales
For more information please contact:
+44 (0)7901 701334 | kat@homelessworldcup.org
Massimo Acanfora, Media Manager e Comunicazione, Milano 2009 Homeless World Cup
Telefono: +39 329 1376380 | Email: massimo@milanomyland.org