So I was flying back from Adelaide yesterday. Well, technically I wasn’t flying, the aeroplane was. I just happened to be inside it at the time.
Anyway, I picked up the free magazine and flicked through in the hope of stumbling across either a child’s level Sudoku, or better yet an article and photo shoot of Ricki-Lee Coulter (hey, we like what we like ok).
Instead I happened across an article on an annual event called the Homeless World Cup. Yes, the Homeless World Cup. A soccer tournament for the homeless chaps of the world. Ok yes I know what you are going to say, it is a truly noble and inspirational event to hold. Undeniably assisting the improvement of society as a whole, however I have a number of issues I would like someone to clarify:
I have sat with many a homeless late on a Saturday night and causally bantered over a shared goon bag and I’ll be perfectly honest with you: I’m not sure these guys are really what I would classify as ‘athletic’.
How do they organise teams? Are there trials or do they just whip around one morning with a cattle truck and corral them into the back, only to cull the herd down later during an intensive plyometrics camp?
What is the prize for winning? Fresh cardboard?
Scotland won it last year. Who the hell gave them passports? And for crying out loud are you telling me they raised the money for tickets? I have never seen a sign begging for money in order to represent their country.
The best sign I have ever heard of by the way was a Canadian or American homeless chap who for years held the sign that said “Father killed by Ninjas. Need money for Karate lessons”.
Mind you: “Need money for passport, soccer boots, flights and accommodation so I can compete in the world cup” – yeah I’d give him a coin or two.
So anyway I’m contemplating running for the team next time around. I just have to get my hands on the qualification requirements. I wonder if two weeks camping would count as homeless.
Anyway, check out the site, its bloody interesting stuff: http://www.homelessworldcup.org/
