From Sluming to Scoring: The Homeless World Cup

I will be starting my next-to-last trimester of graduate school in December. I have an extremely hard class to take. I also have a thesis to write, jobs to interview for, and a social life that will need a good breath of air. Half a world away, though, the World Cup will be going on.

"Wait, it isn't 2010 already," you must be saying to yourself, and you are right. I am not talking about any of the major FIFA sponsored Cups. I am referring to the Homeless World Cup.

A documentary about the 2006 tournament in South Africa will be airing on ESPN2 here in the United States tonight and tomorrow night (9PM/10PM EST).

Why Should We Care About A Homeless Guy With A Ball?

Why not? In a day and age where everyone's lives are so "hectic". I mean come on, you have to go the office. Then there are drinks after work. Oh lets not forget the fantasy league draft parties that people are throwing. All of this is usually before Saturday.

If you are a college football or Premiership fan, most of your weekend is spent glued to the recliner in the living room, screaming at a T.V. that can't hear you.

Why not do something constructive with your time?  I mean, you are mostly avoiding reality. The last time I had someone actively tell me they were avoiding reality, it was some emo kid at the mall. You guys aren't emo are you?

It is simple. Homelessness is a problem the world over. Here in America, you still run into the Vietnam Veterans who lost themselves in the war, and just can't get back on their feet.

This tournament gives people the chance to turn their lives around.

Give them something they love to do, and by God they will come out and do their best for their country. Soup kitchens with someone giving a sermon aren't for everyone.

Homeless World Cup By The Numbers

Sports fans love numbers. We do. It is how we can justify saying that Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Wayne Rooney when it comes to scoring. So, here are some interesting facts about the Homeless World Cup.

2003: The year of the first tournament. 17 teams turned out for the first cup and five years later 48 nations fielded teams.

December 2008: The next Homeless World Cup to be held in Melbourne Australia.

73%: The number of individuals that change their lives for the better.

Eric Cantona, Manchester United, UEFA: Just some of the supporters of the World Cup. Statements from other players include: Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Luis Figo (Inter Milan), Sir Alex Ferguson (Manager Manchester United).

1,000,000,000: The number of homeless in the world today.

This Could Be You

I am obviously not homeless and most of you that are reading this aren't, I'm assuming. However, you never know when you may be.

We lost our house when I was 16 and ended up moving in with Grandmother. My mom had lost her job and we really had no prospects.

We eventually turned our lives around but I very well could have ended up homeless.

In this day and age of market failure, crazy hurricanes (and weather in general), border disputes, and just life in general, you could be homeless by the end of the week.

Imagine if someone gave you a chance to play the beautiful game for your country. I know that would give me the catalyst to turn my life around.

I'm asking you guys and gals that read this to help out the Homeless World Cup. I have already donated $10 myself via their website.

We have seen how football can unite a country on the brink of war. Imagine what it can do for someone who is down on their luck.