TIMOR LESTE SELECTS TEAM FOR MELBOURNE - Street Dream Team
Posted by Timor-Leste - 20/07/2008
Timor-Leste, a debut side this year, has made great strides in getting ready for Melbourne in December. Given an invitation in June,an Australian NGO Life Love and Health in conjunction with Timorese NGO, Hamoris Timor Oan, has appointed a team manager, a coach and now has run team selection. The team manager, Antonio Amaral da Silva moved quickly when notified of Timor-Leste's invitation.He arranged to have the National Team under 20s coach Agostinho Martins available to supervise the selection process and to continue regular training up until and including Melbourne.
Antonio got the word out in the streets of Dili, the capital, amongst street vendors and unemployed youth that a football competition would be held.Interest was high and eigth teams formed to play for selection based on either the location that the players work,or alternatively what they sell, for example the mandarin sellers formed a team.
All players were evaluated by the coach and team management for ability,attitude as a team member,and sportsmanship with the final team selected from all the teams based on the qualities judged by the team management.
The interest in the competition and the obvious passion for football,will mean that Timor-Leste will be a serious competitor this year.The selection process is also seen as the start of a regular program targeting 'street kids' , that will provide training and fitness,and an opportunity to take a break from trying to get by.
The Timor-Leste 'Street Dream Team' will work hard to prepare themselves mentally and physically for the event, including good food, regular physical training and some basic english language introductions, that will be combined with a post event strategies and coaching to make the most of this opportunity.
One of the team members from the District of Alieu, Francelino Da Silva, said that he feels his destiny is to work on the streets of Dili until he dies. He is now preparing to go to Melbourne in December and will be assisted with educations and skills training to help him 'dream beyond the street'."
