Now, a World Cup for the homeless

Slum Soccer Krida Vikas Sanstha, Nagpur (KVSN) and top English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur have teamed up to take the India Slum Teams for the eighth Homeless World Cup football tournament that will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from September 19 to 26.

India, who will be featuring in the competition for the fourth time in succession, will be represented by a men's team and a women's squad that is hoping to finish amongst the top three. Seventy nations will take part in the competition.

The teams were trained for three months at a camp in Nagpur under the supervision of coach Ashok Chettri of Bengal, with inputs from esteemed international coach and Director of Homeless World Cup, Andy Hookes of Scotland.

2007 saw India participate for the first time in a global football event when the Indian team entered the fifth Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen finishing 45th overall.

India has taken part in both subsequent editions after Copenhagen, improving their final ranking to a creditable 39th in Milan, Italy last year.

One of the most heartening developments in Milan was the fact that a member of the Indian team Disha Lohabare won the Best Female Player award! Disha's feat has kick started the involvement of women in the program, all of whom are looking to emulate her achievement.

"The commitment and the effort put in by the women have demanded that India register separate Men's and Women's team at this year's World Cup at the Copacabana Beach. A sustained and intensive three-month coaching camp has brought about tremendous progress in the skill level of the team who are confident of a great showing," said chief coach Chettri.

"It doesn't matter where we finish. It is more important to see these players change their lives for the better through football. That's the aim," added women's team coach Abhijeet Barse.

In addition to financial support, Tottenham Hotspur will provide kit, signed memorabilia for auction and coaching advice. The club will also seek to engage further with KVSN through their own partners and supporters.

Krida Vikas Sanstha Nagpur runs football programmes to inspire and educate the most disadvantaged members of society including the homeless and slum dwellers, many of whom were addicted to drugs or alcohol, and involved in petty crimes or violence.

With Krida Vikas Sanstha being recognized by the Homeless World Cup as the official representative of the Indian team for the tournament, there was little wonder then that in 2008, Slum Soccer was accepted as a member of the Street Football Network, a strategic alliance partner of FIFA.

Tottenham Hotspur have outlined the benefits that the Club would bring to KVSN: "We view this association between Tottenham Hotspur and Slum Soccer KVSN as an opportunity to develop a long-term relationship, which through Slum Soccer and related programmes, will benefit some of the poorest people in India. Tottenham Hotspur is one of the world's leading football clubs and by supporting KVSN and their projects we hope that we can contribute substantially to raising their profile worldwide and encourage others to give their support."

Professor Vijay Barse, founder of KVSN, expressed his delight at the groundbreaking agreement: "This is fantastic news for us. Tottenham Hotspur's matches are broadcast in over two hundred countries and their global profile will help us to reach out to the world, show what we are doing, and gather more support, which in turn will help us to help more people. The association with Tottenham Hotspur will also give us access to their sporting and commercial expertise, and bring inspiration not just to our World Cup team but to all those in India who are finding hope for the future through football."

Teams:

Men: Akhilesh Paul (Captain), Vicky Parteti, Arindam Ghoshal, R. Madivannan, Umesh Deshmukh. Coach: Ashok Chettri.

Women: Priyanka Ragit (Captain), Rubina Sheikh, Trupti Gaidhane, Annie Paul, Shehnaz Qureshi, Khushali  Darbeshwar. Coach: Abhijeet Barse. Manager: Dr. Vijaya Balpande.