Homeless World Cup (Football):

"Russia have won the Homeless World Cup for the first time, beating newcomers Kazakhstan in an entertaining final in Cape Town. Russia join Italy (twice) and Austria as Homeless World Cup winners."

The Scotland won the Big Issue Cape Town Cup after being led by (My Church team) St Silas's own prolific striker Frank Brodie who was was captain of the team! I think thats actually amazin! Frankie is a brilliant player. Also Scotlands Lindsay Cooper recieved the award of best female player.

This was the 4th competition which is now becoming a recognised annual event. With 48 nations competing this time (27 last year), professional teams like Man Utd, Real Madrid and sponsors like Nike and U.E.F.A. becoming involoved mabey the goal of the tournament might be acheived: "The Homeless World Cup changes the scenery for the players. It presents the opportunity of working in a team, provides coaching towards a health-oriented attitude towards life, raises self-esteem, fun and brings sense of family to your life. However, this sporting event is also challenging stereotyping and the attitudes of the public. Homeless people who were spat at the week before are cheered by thousands, asked for autographs and treated as heroes. We have proved that this creates real and lasting change.”

According to the figures on the website "over 90% of participants involved with the 2004 tournament stated the event had a positive effect on their lives with 75% of those participating deciding to go on to education, find a home, a job, give up drink or drugs." Also some of the players have even gone on to semi and professional clubs!!! This is the most amazing thing! Just brialliant that things like this are going on!

Sadly because of the Homeless World Cup website http://www.homelessworldcup.org/ not being regularly updated i havn't got all the information. Though hats off to the team! They have done the country proud! and well done to frankie! wat a guy! lol Thank god for things like this and i really hope that when we all see homeless people that we can just give them timee and a smile mabey even buy a Big Issue from them!