Pakistan at the Street Child World Cup

In April 2014, Team Pakistan led by Azad Foundation participated in the second Street Child World Cup in association with Save the Children which kicked off in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil just months before the 2014 FIFA World Cup there. 230 former street children from 19 countries, girls and boys, came together to play football and champion the rights of street children.

Pakistan were the perennial underdogs of the tournament. Not a country known for its Footballing talent, they provided the most shocking story of the entire competition. Squad members included Captain and Goal Keeper Sameer Ahmed, Razziq Mushtaq, Muhammad Shoaib, Mehar Ali, Salman Hussain, Owais Ali, Faizan, Rajab and Ayaz Ali. The Team was coached by Abdul Razziq and managed by Syed Itfan Maqbool.

Along the way to securing an emphatic 3rd position (Bronze Medal) in the SCWC, Team Pakistan thrashed India 0-13, beat Kenya 0-2, Mauritius 0-3, and drew to U.S.A 1-1 in the Group Stages.

In the Quarter-Final stage, Team Pakistan defeated Philippines 3-2 on penalties after the match was level 1-1 after extra time. In the Semi-Final, Team Pakistan’s only loss of the Tournament came against Burundi. Final score 4-3. For the 3rd place match, Team Pakistan beat U.S.A 2-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.

FootballPakistan.com reported an audience of 2 million people that watched Team Pakistan’s participation at the SCWC. When they returned home, Team Pakistan led an 11-city tour called “I am Somebody”. As a result, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a resolution for social protection for the countries 1.5m street children.

7,000 supporters (including the media and members of the National and Provincial Assembly) met team Pakistan as they landed at Karachi Airport. At 4am. Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has agreed to support Azad Foundation, organizers of Team Pakistan, and nurture grassroots football programmes for street children in Pakistan. The boys are now HBL’s brand ambassadors.

The boys were awarded the National Colour by Pakistan’s Sports Minister and have been nominated for the UNICEF Champions Award.[1][2][3][4]

References

  1. ↑ "Boy's tournament « Street Child Worldcup Rio 2014". Streetchildworldcup.org. 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  2. ↑ "Impact: SCWC Rio 2014". Street Child United. 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  3. ↑ "No child should live on the streets". Street Child United. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  4. ↑ "Street Child Worldcup Rio 2014". Streetchildworldcup.org. 2016-01-17. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
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