HAITI: Still cleaning up from the devastating earthquake Haitians revel in World Cup excitement

Record ID: 345445

  • Title: HAITI: Still cleaning up from the devastating earthquake Haitians revel in World Cup excitement
  • Date: 12th June 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WATCHING THE WORLD CUP OPENING GAME VARIOUS OF KIDS CELEBRATING WORLD CHILDREN DAY IN THE CAMP
  • Embargoed: 27th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Haiti
  • Country: Haiti
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9ASYLJZRPA3M2LODVTP69WWUH
  • Story Text: Soccer-mad Haitians are revving up to watch the World Cup on large-screen televisions at makeshift camps that were put up after the devastating January earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people and left more than 1 million homeless.
    In the crowded camps in the Haitian capital and other quake-stricken areas, people say they are ready to watch the World Cup even though Haiti's team did not qualify for the month-long event that started on Friday (June 11) in South Africa.
    The government and several national and foreign sponsors have set up giant screens in popular areas, around tent cities and elsewhere to help residents watch the games.
    Government authorities said at least 137 municipalities had received two large-screen television sets and one generator each, to make sure soccer fans can watch the competition.
    Jacques Rock helped install the screens at the Champ-de-Mars tent city near what remains of the presidential palace that collapsed in the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit on January 12. He said workers are quickly working to get everything in order for the occasion.
    "Now we are figuring out, we are working on modifying our screens so that we can show the football during the day because it's a problem when you have to project on a screen during daylight. That's an issue but we are dealing with it and we have found a way to do it. We are not quite ready yet but we should be in a week," said Rock.
    In addition, the government has provided funds for the state-run national television station to establish relay stations throughout the country to make the games available to as many people as possible.
    Residents say the games will allow them to escape the harsh realties of living in tent cities where in some cases thousands are forced to share a dozen or so bathroom facilitates.
    Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Germany and Holland are respectively the foreign sides with the most fans in Haiti. There has been a growing support for the South African side and other African teams, particularly when playing against other teams that are not on the Haitian's favorite list.
    Children also sang and danced in celebration of World Children's Day and Child Protection Coordinator for the International Rescue Committee, Rebecca Chandler said the day's activities had lifted the spirits of some youngsters.
    "Today is the International Day of the Child so we've been having activities all day-- songs, dancing, sketches, theatre, supporting the family in Haiti-- which coincides with the World Cup," said Chandler.
    Haiti's only participation in a World Cup was in 1974 in Munich and the Haitian national team was eliminated in the first round.
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