ZIMBABWE’S representatives at this year’s edition of the Street Child World Cup (SCWC) left the country yesterday for Brazil where the tournament will take place from March 28 to April 7.
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Eight girls will represent the country in the seven-a-side tournament. Speaking before their departure, coach Amellia Chifodya said the main aim of the tournament was for the children to interact with others from different countries.
“We are prepared,” he said.
We would like to win, but the main aim of the tournament is for the children to have fun.
“It is for them to meet other children from different countries and talk about their experiences.” The tournament was inaugurated in 2010 at the Fifa World Cup in South Africa. Team captain Priviledge Mupeti said they were hoping for a good performance in Brazil.
“We will perform well despite this being our first competition.
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“Everyone worked hard towards the preparation and we want to do well there and at the same time enjoy ourselves,” she said.
The team comprises Mupeti, Pride Makaye, Esther Abrozi, Precious Phiri, Sicelo Nkomo, Zanda Mthethwa, Audrey Mandava and Olivia Muchemwa.
They will be travelling with Grassroot Soccer programmes manager Tanya Sibanda and some Zifa officials and would be expected back in the country on April 9.
Street Child United (SCU) organises the seven-a-side tournament, which is part of a global campaign to end the systematic and casual abuse of street children. Grassroot Soccer selected the players from Thuthuka which is a contact centre for children that provides food, shelter and counselling for any youth in need of their services.
John Smale Children’s Home, which is a government rehabilitation home, provides the other children. Leading up to the tournament, SCU is using the publicity surrounding the event to promote and share the stories of street children around the world.
The stories are one of the tools SCU will use to promote human rights and end abuse of the millions of children who are forced to live on streets around the world.
