Players and travellers get set for Homeless World Cup: 18-09-2008
Players are gearing up for the Homeless World Cup to be held in Melbourne this December, it has been revealed.
Up to 100,000 spectators are expected to attend the event, which is being run by the Big Issue with help from corporate sponsors and the Victoria state government.
Travellers to Melbourne can expect to see teams from over 50 countries competing for the trophy, including representatives from Afghanistan, East Timor and the Ivory Coast.
According to George Halkias, the coach of Australia's Street Socceroos and a trained psychologist, the Homeless World Cup gives participants vital support.
"It's instrumental in changing people's lives and giving them help," he told AFP.
"They form friendships with the other players and look out for each other."
Mr Halkias' views were backed up by one of the players, a man known as "Bushy".
"Being classed as an equal, that's important," he told the news provider. "People look at you like you're the scum of the earth when you're on the streets. It was a real eye-opener coming here."
Defending champions Scotland will be looking to hang onto their crown at the tournament, which runs from December 1st to December 7th.
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