Homeless team hopes for better

oordinator of the team, Tawanda Karasa, told CAJ News from Denmark at the weekend that the team had arrived after getting assistance in airfares from the organisers of the event. The team’s participation had been uncertain, due to the lack of sponsorship for airfares, until the last minute.
Zimbabwe sent a delegation of seven players plus two officials and were joined by their coach, Ian Whyte from Scotland.
They are in the same group with Greece, Portugal and Brazil in the event that kicked off on Sunday and will wind up this Saturday with the finals.
“We are lucky to have the coaching service of the Scottish qualified football coach, his name is Ian Whyte. He is excited to coach Zimbabwe. He has been our fan until now,” Karasa said.
Last year Russia won the event in South Africa, which hosted the event. The tournament was started by Americans Mel Young and Harald Schmied in 2001 with the desire to help homeless people.
This year, 48 countries are participating and a about 500 players are involved in the shorter version of the game, with four players on a smaller pitch.
Zimbabwe first participated at last year’s tournament in South Africa but Karasa said not much had been achieved in terms of income-generating projects for the participants.
Team Zimbabwe line-up: Farai Mweta, Anthony Gambe, Raphael Banhu, Josephy Mashamba, Amon Sanyangore, Vincent Chawanda, Samuel Mandaba. Officials -Tawanda Karasa, Petros Chatiza, Coach – Ian Whyte.