Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by Hong Kong Street Soccer, the Jockey Club Homeless World Cup (Hong Kong) Fund-raising Tournament is one of the main programmes of the “Jockey Club Community Soccer for Hope”. Through football, a more inclusive society can be achieved, and people can be encouraged to embrace the homeless and disadvantaged, and help them to live a more positive life. “The Jockey Club Homeless World Cup (Hong Kong) Fund-raising Tournament” will also help to raise money to send the Hong Kong team to the 2017 Homeless World Cup in Oslo. Entrance to the event is free, and all are welcome to come and cheer the Hong Kong team on. Mark the date!
This year, there are 27 teams taking part in the Jockey Club Homeless World Cup (HK) Fund-raising Tournament. In addition to the “Dawn” team that is comprised of former members of the Hong Kong team; other participating teams include those that represent organisations, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. In addition to raising money, there’s also a personal component to the tournament, which is to contribute to the building of a more inclusive society.
The Homeless World Cup gives players a chance to change their lives through football. An annual international tournament, it allows the homeless to not only play football but also engage in social exchange, and it also encourages the community to care for the disadvantaged and homeless. The tournament is 4x4 and held inside an enclosed pitch, which makes for quick and entertaining matches. The first-ever Homeless World Cup was held in Austria in 2003, with Hong Kong sending its first team for the third edition in 2005, which means this year marks Hong Kong’s 13th year of participation. From 18 teams of countries and regions in the beginning, participation has slowly grown to more than 50. The Hong Kong representative team will announce its roster for the 2017 Homeless World Cup in Oslo, Norway at the end of August, after the Jockey Club Homeless World Cup (HK) Fund-raising Tournament.
If you love football and care about your community, you’ll want to come along with your friends and family and show your support! And don’t miss the live webcast of the games on 18 June, with commentating by members of the Hong Kong Football Commentators Association and JC Junior Sports Reporters!
