- Title: BRAZIL: SOCCER/FOOTBALL: Street Child World Cup opens in Rio
- Date: 30th March 2014
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (MARCH 30, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PARTICIPATING TEAMS ENTERING FIELD WITH THE FLAGS OF THEIR COUNTRY CAMERAWOMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) STREET CHILD WORLD CUP FOUNDER, JOHN WROE, SAYING: "Brazil has opened its arms to the Street Child World Cup. It has been so hospitable to us. It has made so many things possible from the British school to Itamaraty to the law firms that have worked through the night to get all the children here. These are children that are off the radar, children initially without birth certificates let alone passports, let alone visas. Every child is here. Every child is officially somebody." VARIOUS OF OPENING GAME ACTION (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) FEMALE BRAZILIAN PARTICIPANT, KAREM DO PRADO, SAYING: "I think it is really cool. It shows to young people that there are people fighting for their dreams and they shouldn't give up." VARIOUS OF GAME ACTION
- Embargoed: 14th April 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA38TEEWGTVE0ZZPFYWY82QIZWD
- Story Text: Hoping to raise awareness to the plight of disadvantaged youths the Street Child World Cup kicked off in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (March 30).
The ten-day event brings together over 230 children from 19 countries for a girls' and a boys' soccer tournament and art showcase, according to the Save the Children organization.
Brazil's own national men's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was on hand to help event founder John Wroe oversee the jubilant opening ceremonies.
Wroe said that it wasn't easy getting all the kids to Brazil.
"Brazil has opened its arms to the Street Child World Cup. It has been so hospitable to us. It has made so many things possible from the British school to Itamaraty to the law firms that have worked through the night to get all the children here. These are children that are off the radar, children initially without birth certificates let alone passports, let alone visas. Every child is here. Every child is officially somebody," Wroe said.
According to Save the Children, millions of children around the world live and work on the street without protection and opportunity.
The organization hopes to raise awareness through soccer, art an international street child conference.
The ages of participating children ranges from 14-17.
Brazil's girls' team squared off against Indonesia's girls' team in the event's opening game.
Karem do Prado, a participant from Brazil, said that the event helps show children that they have a reason to hope.
"I think it is really cool. It shows to young people that there are people fighting for their dreams and they shouldn't give up," do Prado said.
The children will compete over the next ten days on three fields named after the world famous soccer grounds Maracana, Soccer City and River Plate.
Figures such as David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have all endorsed the event that was first held in 2010 in South Africa.
The official 2014 World Cup kicks off in Brazil on June 12. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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