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CUP OF GOOD HOPE 9-9-07
Peter Holmes
"Times change!"
Historically, this famous cliché was first uttered by Old Moses in total exasperation at the constant bickering and whining of the Hebrews who wanted him to do a few tricks. Bored with all that endless trekking over forty years through the wilderness they accused him of being no fun anymore.
"Part the bloody Red Sea yourselves. I'm not a flaming magician you know, here for your enjoyment! Who do you think I am - Saul Daniels?"
The great man was right though, as he was when he prophesied, "There will be an Egyptian we will love and he shall be known as Mido!"
Before breaking out into a juniper wine fuelled singing session; "Mido, Oh! Oh! Oh! Mido!" to the tune of Lido, a hit at the time by Bobra Sega and the Silver Sarcophagus Band.
Times certainly do change and if you don't keep up with what's happening well you become that boring old fart of mythology or quite simply a BOB (boring old bastard).
Some of the changes can be confusing, especially with slang language. I mean in my day to be gay was to be bright and bubbly, a faggot was something you ate, a carpet muncher was a dust mite, fully sick was just that - a day off work with the flu, bling was the sound an old bakelite phone made as you picked it up, a hoe was a gardening implement and a person without a home was simply a tramp.
Now in this politically correct world, those people on the margins of society by choice who were usually left to fend for themselves have become the grandly titled, 'homeless personages of no fixed address'. What's more they are befriended by the Salvos, championed by politicians looking for spin and perversely out for a well publicised night under a cardboard box.
Then of course they are politicised by the music world's parliamentary conscience led by Bono who sang about their cause with, "I still haven't found the cardboard I am looking for" and, that other politically aware dude, Sting who sang their praises along with his peroxide partners The Police with; "Meths are in a Bottle".
Now, would you believe, that the people of the street have their own world wide tournament based on the beautiful game, aptly titled; "The Homeless World Cup".
And, that the fifth iteration of that very competition has just concluded on the streets of the beautiful historic Danish capital Copenhagen, where the Scottish team did what their more lauded brethren have failed to do ever and duly triumphed in the final against the Polish team to the tune of 9-3.
That final was the culmination of a long journey which meandered the world and resulted in a final series encompassing forty-eight teams competing in a dozen preliminary groups of four with spirited fair play, camaraderie and blazing hope.
The Danish people took to the tournament with gusto creating a friendly carnival atmosphere and supporting throughout with strong vocal crowds who were entertained by goals while bathed in predominant golden summer sunshine and colourful enthusiasm.
Backed by sponsors and many notable folk, the trophy itself was presented by non other than the Prince of Denmark and the final was refereed by famous Danish FIFA referee Kim Milton Nielsen. Gallic great, the poetic snail snaffler, Eric Cantona, held a training clinic for 500 adoring souls from the competing nations. With an avowed passion for the cause he said, without a mention of sardines and trawlers:
"Football unites; it inspires and it energizes individuals, communities and the world. Football and the Homeless World Cup has the power to fire up a person to excel as a human being, to change their lives for the better. It is fantastic that football brings this opportunity to their lives."
This tournament, as a beneficial catalyst, has been responsible for positive change for the many competing and supporting lost souls to improve their lives for the better, and at times for good.
Apparently 77% of the players who compete at this altruistic competition take on board the message of hope after being engulfed in the good vibes and bonhomie. Quite simply the whole wonderful experience is massively cathartic and they instil within themselves a resolve which helps them to overcome their various demons and addictions.
On returning to their homeless homelands, by all reports they are energised, invigorated and empowered to change their former lives on the margins of society for the better by banishing the drugs, the alcohol and existence on the street. They enter the workforce, get themselves trained, get homes and continue either to play or coach the game which catalysed the changes.
Over 25,000 lost souls were involved all over the multi-cultural planet in pre-tournament competitions and training camps from Argentina to Afghanistan. The game itself is street football with 4 a-side, one in goal and three outfield, with teams made up of players of any colour, creed or sex.
Four flying subs are allowed and roll in and out of the game constantly, not unlike a four hand version of five-a-side but, obviously, played on the street. The combatants play each other over two frantic seven minute halves with a one minute half-time break.
It's a vortex of movement and energy and quite a spectacle as you would imagine. The most obvious pre-requisite to play the game is that you have to be either homeless, an asylum seeker or in drug rehabilitation and have been homeless prior to the competition.
Society is made up of a myriad of folk with a myriad of personalities and some with a myriad of problems. You know the one thing that every big city in every single country on Earth has in common is homeless people. Whether by choice or simply by a combination of luck or circumstance the majority of these folk came from a much better place while a few feel they are no worse off to be street kids or hobos.
"Hope springs eternal!" And hope may be the only thing these folk actually have but social football at the 'throw down your jackets and let's play' level, brings many benefits to some of these lost souls and returns them from the margins of society to a saner place of social acceptance and more importantly in their own minds, a place of restored pride.
I salute this marvellous initiative which will be gracing the streets of multi-cultural Melbourne in mid 2008 and hold out eternal hope that it continues to bring positive change and some good to the tramps!
Enough said,
ErimusRed.
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