Homeless Kids Play Football
Posted by Philippines - 05/06/2009
By Sunshine Lichauco de Leon Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 02:30:00 05/03/2009
MANILA, Philippines—It was more than just a game.
For the 700 homeless children who attended the Homeless Football Festival, spending the day laughing, eating and playing football was the best gift most of them have ever received.
Organized by Urban Opportunities for Change Foundation Inc. at the La Salle Green Hills football field, the festival started just after sunrise last Saturday and ended before sundown. The children were treated to free breakfast, lunch and dinner and in between they played football and other games. Prizes were also given out.
On Saturday, excitement grew with each blow of the whistle and each sound of a ball being kicked. For many of the players, football was not just a game, but also a tool for a better future.
The festival featured different events but they all shared the same spirit of camaraderie, teamwork and passion for the game.
The main event was the selection tournament for the Homeless World Cup (HWC) 2009 Philippine team held at the center of the field, capturing the attention of fans and players of all ages.
Eight teams, consisting of players aged 17 and up, came from an assortment of foundations, centers and football clubs from Metro Manila, Masbate and Mindoro. They competed against each other to test their skills and to enhance their love for football.
The winning team will form half of the eight-member Philippine team that will undergo months of training and will be sent to play in Milan, Italy, in September. The remaining four players will be chosen from the losing teams, based on the skills with which they played that day.
The HWC is an international football tournament started in 2003 to make the world aware about the problem of homelessness. Each participating country may send a team to this 7-day tournament, held in a different city each year.
Players must be at least 17 years of age, and they must be refugees, homeless or recovering from drug or alcohol abuse. The Philippines sent its first team in 2008 and ranked 37th out of 48 countries that participated.
‘I have a dream’
Jerome Mendoza, 18, a member of the Tuloy sa Don Bosco team, said he dreams of playing in the HWC in Milan.
Mendoza, who has been playing football for two years now, explained the powerful impact of the sport on his life: “Through football, I was able to improve my character and values. I learned discipline and respect. I also learned to be a team player and to love my enemies.”
He also said he wants to be an example and an inspiration to other homeless youths.
Nineteen-year-old Niña Versoza, a former child factory worker who competed with the Philippine team in last year’s HWC in Melbourne, Australia, said she hopes one day to become a famous football player.
“I used to think I had nothing. Now I have proven to myself that I have a skill. I have a talent and I have to take care of it,” she said in Filipino.
Special energy
The La Salle football field emanated a special energy coming from the competing teams of children under the age of 17.
Ten institutions that provide shelter to homeless children each sent a team. A gold medal would be given to the winning team for each age division. For many of the smiling faces, it was a unique opportunity to play football and make friends with other children with similar backgrounds.
The event was open to all disadvantaged children, not just those without a home. There were players from Muntinlupa United Football Club, made up of children of guards and children of prisoners from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
Organizers, volunteers
It was also attended by dedicated volunteers proving that one could never be too old to help. Coach Bart Tolentino, who taught football in La Salle from 1964-1975, is 75 years old and he is the head coach at Manila Boys’ Town.
Wanting to include children of all skill levels, organizers William Shaw, who is executive director of Urban Opportunities for Change Foundation Inc., Marlon Maro, who is La Salle Green Hills head coach, and Ed Formoso decided to hold an event for the “differently abled.”
Invited to participate were players from PhilSpada (Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled Inc.), Elsie Gaches Village and Nayon ng Kabataan of the Department of Social Welfare and of Development (DSWD).
On the upper field, Liga GK Futbol, made up of teams from six Gawad Kalinga housing sites, played a two-division tournament of their own. Having mainly practiced on the streets in between sites, the chance to play on a grassy field was a special treat.
Active children means hungry children and feeding 700 children three meals in one day was a challenge with its own special rewards. Caught by the contagious spirit of helping, friends told families who told friends and before they knew it, 32 volunteers had prepared 2,500 meals.
As one volunteer said, “At our age, we see each other only at weddings and funerals. It was a great way to get together, have fun and at the same time help these children.”
‘Ninongs’ for World Cup
The Urban Opportunities for Change Foundation Inc. is also spearheading the Philippine participation in the HWC, which according to Shaw could not have been possible without the help of generous ninongs (godparents).
Events such as the football festival have brought the HWC to the public’s attention. It has also brought people and organizations together with common interests. The ninongs who have given their support are: Danny Moran of Amici pizza pasta, Patxi Elizalde of Rider slippers, Monchu Garcia of Ybarra olive oil, Nonong Araneta of Mariposa Travel International, Randy Roxas of ATR Securities and Eric Gutierres of S.R. Metal Inc.
