| Sport And Integration
Homeless World Cup
A Different Soccer World Cup Kick-off for the world-wide use of the positive power of soccer: the Graz 2003 soccer world championship with the homeless from all over the world were for many the first step to re-integration. The global players were supported by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP). Organisers in Graz were MEGAPHON and Team ON. Winners of the exciting final was the Austrian team all players of which were of African origin.
From 07 to 13 July 2003 the "Homeless World Cup" took place in the heart of the inner city, featuring 20 teams from Argentina, Brazil, the USA, Denmark, South Africa, Russia, Australia, Switzerland, Rumania, Scotland, England, Holland, Slovakia and Austria. The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) supported the event. The organisers aimed to extend the cultural aspect of soccer so as to include the homeless.
The World Championship in Graz strove to serve as the kick-off for the world-wide utilisation of the power of soccer to change lives. There is hardly greater scope for overcoming social exclusion as through sport - for many, the tough training schedule is the first step to recovery. This point was be given wide coverage by the media. Graz 2003 showed how "globalisation from below" can work: sport can turn the losers of the consumer society into winners. As originally, soccer was played in the streets - spectators were separated from the players only by the sidelines. Each team consisted of four players and a goalie. The simple street soccer rules guaranteed exciting matches daily on the Hauptplatz and in the Paradeishof.
The news that the championship was to be held in Graz was greeted euphorically by the international street paper scene, which opened up new possibilities for the alliance. Owing to the huge success of the event, a follow-on is planned for 2004 in Gothenburg.
Idea and concept: International Network of Street Papers, Megaphon and Caritas.
Article on project launch A project in cooperation of Graz 2003 - Cultural Capital of Europe and Megaphon, the street paper of the Caritas organisation. |
