Tottenham Hotspurs show their generosity by backing India again in the World Homeless Cup in Rio
Last updated 9/5/2010 12:25:18 PM
Tottenham Hotspurs back India again in the World Homeless Cup in Rio
Spurs have selflessly involved themselves in the Homeless World Cup again by renewing their sponsorship of Team India at the 8th Homeless World Cup to be held in Rio.
Team India is organized by Krida Vikas Sanstha (KVSN) working with over 10,000 people through their slum soccer programme.
The partnership will see the English Premier League Club fund Team India during the forthcoming competition in Rio, Brazil, which takes place from 19-26 September 2010.
Daniel Levy, Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur said, "Our involvement in last year's Homeless World Cup was extremely successful and we are delighted to be involved again this year.
"The Premier League is vastly growing in popularity in India, as is the support for Spurs, and so it's very satisfying that through football we can help make a positive impact as part of our global community strategy. Our involvement with the Homeless World Cup is one aspect of what we hope will be a bigger role for Tottenham Hotspur in our long-term support of football development in India."
Vijay Barse, Founder KVSN, Manager Team India Homeless World Cup was thrilled with the news: "KVSN organises the development of grass roots football in India and it is very important to our success that our participants get a chance to participate at the Homeless World Cup, this opportunity has been realized by the timely support of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
"Players from slums of Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai are representing India this year and they are delighted to be participating with the support of a professional English Premiere League Team."
Mel Young, for Homeless World Cup, said: "Homelessness is a global issue and creative partnerships are needed to address it. Spurs are a fantastic example of what a premier football brand can do to make a difference and we applaud them for it."
In addition to providing financial support to Team India, Tottenham Hotspur will also provide kit, coaching advice and signed memorabilia for auction. The Club will also seek to engage further with KVSN through their own partnerships.
Krida Vikas Sanstha Nagpur (KVSN) or in English ‘Sport for the Homeless', is based in the central Indian city of Nagpur, and runs football programmes to inspire and educate the most disadvantaged members of society. KVSN began by providing organized leagues for the homeless and slum dwellers, many of whom were addicted to drugs or alcohol, and involved in petty crimes or violence.
The dramatic decrease in these harmful activities and the improvement in the participants' lifestyles inspired KVSN to expand such that it is now running slum soccer programmes in over 15 cities and is addressing issues such as HIV/AIDS infection, personal hygiene and environmental protection. KVSN has organized marches to raise awareness of these issues and an India-Pakistan friendship bicycle rally along the disputed border to promote peace in the region.
Currently, KVSN is in the process of developing a community development centre to offer participants housing, school education and vocational training.
Beating homelessness through football, the Homeless World Cup is an annual world class, international football tournament inspiring 64 national grass roots football projects and over 30,000 homeless players a year to change their lives: over 70% change for the better.
The 8th Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup takes place from 19 – 26 September 2010 at Copacabana Beach, Rio, Brazil before the baton is handed to the Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup from 19 - 29 August 2011.
Homeless World Cup is supported by UEFA, Vodafone Foundation, Nike, global ambassador Eric Cantona, international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand.