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Russia wins Homeless World Cup
30/09/2006 21:56 - (SA)
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| Russian Homeless soccer captain Pavel Kozak celebrates his team's winning of the Homeless Soccer World Cup in Cape Town. (Obed Zilwa, AP) |
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Cape Town - The Russian team dribbled their way to the top in the Homeless World Cup (HWC) championships on Saturday, beating Khazakhstan 1-0 in the final.
The Russians' victory earned them this year's Homeless World Cup main trophy.
The games had brought together 500 socially excluded players from 48 nations.
The HWC president and co-founder of the games, Mel Young, said the successful hosting of the games had shown that the players had capabilities to change their lives.
"We had a fantastic week, every player who took part in the games is a winner. We have proved again to the world that there is no need for homelessness and poverty. Viva football. Viva football," said Young, addressing the packed stadium at the Grand Parade before the kick off of the final game between Russia and Kazakhstan.
Prior to the final games, hosts South Africa thrashed Zimbabwe 10-2 to lift the Premier's Cup.
Ireland beat Finland 4-1 to lift the City of Edinburgh trophy while Zambia walked over Lithuania 8-2 to take home the City of Cape Town Cup.
Scotland had earlier beaten Slovakia 4- 2 to win the Big Issue Cape Town trophy.
Burundi showed they possessed fine soccer skill when they thrashed Argentina 5-2 to lift the International Network of Street Papers trophy.
All players who participated in the games were decorated with medals in a moving ceremony that elevated them to hero status.
This year's HWC games were organised by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) and was co-hosted by the Big Issue South Africa and the City of Cape Town.
The games are an annual event that began in 2003 as a way of uniting the socially excluded people of the world.
- SAPA
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