Namibia wants Homeless World Cup

NAMIBIA is finalising its bid to stage the 2016 Homeless World Cup.

Plans to join the race for the hosting of the annual football tournament, where teams of homeless people from various countries compete, are still in the preliminary phase but will move along swiftly once a bid committee is in place.

Should the bid be successful, Namibia will become only the second African country after South Africa in 2006 to host the event.

“I believe we can do it,” said Namibia’s Homeless World Cup team manager, Bethuel Uirab, who doubles as the fulcrum of the envisaged bidding process.

The 12th edition of the Homeless World Cup annual football tournament will take place in Santiago, Chile in 2014, with Amsterdam, Netherlands hosting next year’s event.

“We have been in contact with our compatriots from other countries and they have encouraged us to bid for the 2016 Homeless World Cup.

“They all say they want another World Cup in Africa.

“Once we have everything in place, we will publicly launch our campaign and make sure we submit our bid before the end of May,” he added.

Uirab said that African teams are renowned for adding plenty of vibrancy to the annual tournament, coupled with Namibia’s peaceful environment will considerably improve their chances of getting the nod by the Homeless World Cup organisation.

“This is a very special event. It is more than just football. I would like Namibians to witness first hand the impact of the Homeless World Cup. That is why we are planning to bid for it,” Uirab said.

“If we can get support from the government and the private sector then we stand a very good chance of being hosts.

Namibia’s team is selected through the Second Chance Street Soccer Project which helps rehabilitate drug and alcohol abusers who have all spent time living on the streets.

The squad that represents the country at the competition is assembled through regional tournaments and national trials.