MANILA, Philippines -- Football has been known to be a universal sport that unites nations. This time though, aside from gathering thousands of screaming fans and chasing for glory, football is being used to rally people to battle a common adversary, homelessness.
Since 2003, the Homeless World Cup has invited nations to participate in a street soccer tournament which aims to answer the worldwide problem of homelessness. Our country shares the same ideals and has been sending contingents to the tourney since 2008 through the efforts of Urban Opportunities for Change Foundation, an organization dedicated towards providing solutions for urban poverty.
This year is no different as the foundation gathers supporters like Cortal SQR, to continue the program’s success of developing young football talents, providing opportunities to the less privileged and representing the country’s colors with pride.
Last year’s team took home the Host Cup from the tournament held in Rio de Janeiro and plans to do better with a different set of players in Paris later this month. With new players come new stories of struggle. But their goal remains the same; improve themselves and bring honor to the country. “Their situation is not a hindrance for them to represent the country and become successful,” team coach Rudy Del Rosario shares.
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