Mel Young and the Homeless World Cup Foundation take centre stage at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards
|Mel Young with his Integrity & Impact Award from this evening’s event in London. Credit: FEVO Sport Industry Awards
Homeless World Cup Foundation co-founder and President, Mel Young was awarded the Integrity & Impact Award at this year’s illustrious FEVO Sport Industry Awards on Thursday 15th May in front of an audience consisting of 1,600 sporting stars and industry professionals.
Mel, who co-founded the Homeless World Cup Foundation in 2003 was recognised for a truly inspirational career and his outstanding work with the Homeless World Cup Foundation and the annual Homeless World Cup tournament.
The Homeless World Cup is a remarkable event, and Mel has led the way in ensuring that the tournament continues to grow and continues to change the lives of so many people across the globe.
1.3 million people have been impacted by the tournament, which is being held in Norway’s capital, Oslo this year. It will be the 20th edition of the Homeless World Cup which has been held in cities across the world, including Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Cape Town, Edinburgh, Mexico City, Amsterdam, Sacramento and Seoul.
Credit: FEVO Sport Industry Awards
On receiving the Integrity & Impact Award, which was given to him by Fara Williams and Alastair Campbell (both pictured above) Mel said: “Thank you for honouring me with this award, it means an awful lot to me, and everyone involved with the Homeless World Cup Foundation, to be recognised by you all for something I truly believe in.
“This award is being shared with everyone who has supported us since 2003, with our excellent staff team at our Edinburgh HQ, the many inspirational volunteers from across the world who help us every year at the annual Homeless World Cup tournament and to all the players and teams who are and continue to be a part of our global network, who do so much good work 365 days of the year.
“Everyone here tonight and across the world knows how powerful sport can be and especially football, I have seen first-hand the way it changes lives and the impact it can have on those who deserve it the most.
“With over 150 million people estimated to be homeless around the world and staggeringly 1.6 billion living in inadequate shelter, it is more important than ever to give those experiencing homelessness the chance to tell their story, the chance to change their lives and to be treated equally – this is what our tournament does and will continue to do for many more years.
“If we can all help in a small way, with kind and positive actions, we can create a better future for so many.”