Jakarta (Indonesia) (AFP) - Somad rarely ventures beyond his impoverished Jakarta neighbourhood, but the 14-year-old is now gearing for a trip to Russia next month as a player in the 2018 Street Child World Cup.
It's the
journey of a lifetime for the aspiring striker and eight other Indonesian kids
set to compete against teams of other disadvantaged children from two dozen
nations.
The event's
third edition in Moscow is a long way from Bekasi on the outskirts of
Indonesia's teeming capital where Somad's father sorts through foul trash heaps
to find and sell usable goods.
Along with
his food-seller mother, the teen lives in a 45-metre (485 square foot)
makeshift home shared with four other families.
"Not
many kids can be as lucky as I am," says Somad, who like many Indonesians
goes by one name.
"I
want to make my parents and friends proud so we can have better lives and have
no need to be scavengers anymore."
Somad lives with his family in a crowded neighborhood of scavenger families in Bekasi on the outskirts of Indonesia's capital Jakarta (AFP Photo/Elisabetta ZAVOLI) |
The slum is
mostly populated by trash pickers who live in its hundreds of shacks. A potent
smell of garbage is everywhere in the district where stray animals wander along
its muddy roads.
More than
200 children are participating in the seven-a-side tournament, which kicks off
ahead of this year's Russia-hosted World Cup.
Off the
pitch, the kids will take part in art lessons, workshops and there is a
conference focused on disadvantaged youth.
"I
want to help Indonesia win the competition. But if we do win, I don't want to
show off," says striker Bayu, picked for the Indonesian contingent from
among more than 90 children.
"I
want to share the experience with my friends when I'm back."
In 2014,
the boy's team from Tanzania won the tournament while the girl's trophy was
claimed by hosts Brazil.
The
inaugural 2010 event, started by British charity Street Child United, was
played in South Africa.
More than 200 children
are participating in the seven-a-side tournament, which
kicks off ahead of this
year's Russia-hosted World Cup (AFP Photo/Elisabetta ZAVOLI)
|
Indonesian
team coach Wahyu Kurniawan said children from poor neighbourhoods have a
vitality that is key to breaking into professional football.
"Kids
from the street are more active and tend to have more power and spirit,"
he told AFP.
"My
job is to convert those qualities into good football skill and sportsmanship on
the field."
But the
tournament is about more than just sports -- it's to give a voice to
marginalised children.
"Achievement
in the tournament is not our main priority, it's a bonus," said Jessica
Hutting from Kampus Diakoneia Modern (KDM), a children's rights NGO that
selected the Indonesian players.
"We
use football as a tool to bring street-connected children together in a safe
space where their voices can be heard."
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