MEDIA ALERT: WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT TO OFFICIALLY BID FAREWELL TO SA HOMELESS STREET SOCCER WORLD CUP TEAM
Tomorrow, 24 August 2017, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, and Minister of Social Development, Albert Fritz will officially bid farewell to the team who will represent South Africa at the 2017 Homeless Street Soccer World Cup.
The 15th edition of the Homeless World Cup will take place in Oslo’s iconic Rådhusplassen, Norway, from 29 August – 5 September.
The annual tournament brings together street football programmes from around the world, affording each player the opportunity to represent their respective nation with passion and pride. The tournament is a celebration of the work conducted by the Homeless World Cup Foundation and their national partners across the globe in attaining their mutual goal of seeking a better future for homeless individuals through soccer.
In addition to inspiring marginalised people to make positive changes in their lives, the Homeless World Cup annual tournament aims to challenge the public perceptions of homelessness and the issues that surround it. By showing the human side of homelessness, the foundation aims to help breakdown stereotypes and change the ways in which we think and talk about homelessness.
Over 500 players representing more than 50 countries will be in attendance at the 2017 World Cup, in what is promised to be the biggest and most ambitious Homeless World Cup tournament yet.
Through community based street soccer initiatives, the team of 8 players was selected from across the country. Representing South Africa at the World Cup will be:
Mzikayise Depha from New Crossroads
Igshaan Gancitana from The Ark, Faure
Ricardo Swartz – Originally from Belhar but currently resides at the Ark, Faure
Thando Mthambo – New Crossroads
Bonginkosi Nxhosa – Kwa-Zulu Natal
Aviwe Ganyanthi – Swellendam
Athenkosi Qusheka from Molteno, Eastern Cape
Anele Jamekwana from Molteno, Eastern Cape
ALL MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
Date: Thursday, 24 August 2017
Time: 11:00
Venue: Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Sport, 8th Floor Protea Assurance Building, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town
There will be opportunities for photographs and interviews.
Stacy McLean
Spokesperson for Minister Anroux Marais
Email: Stacy.McLean@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 083 504 1171