ISLAMABAD: ‘I am somebody – play for your right, if we can do it, so can you.’
This was the message from the street children’s football team for the other ignored children of the country.
The same message is also inscribed on the bus being used by the team visiting various cities to inspire other street children to take part in healthy sports activities.
In continuation of their campaign, the star footballers arrived at the National Press Club on Wednesday, where they received a warm welcome from journalists.
They shared the stories of their journey from local streets to Brazil, where they participated in Street Children’s Football World Cup and clinched the third position, after defeating many heavyweights including India and the US.
Thirteen-year-old Rajab Ali, who belongs to the Hazara community, said: “It was impossible for me to even dream about playing football at national level.
“But my hard work and determination made it possible for me to participate in the world cup. Now, I want to play my role for other street children.”
Similarly, another footballer Owais Ali said: “My father passed away during my childhood. When I was almost seven-year-old, I left my house and started living in the streets of Karachi.”
He spent his days washing cars in various markets of Karachi.
When asked about his mother, he said he rejoined his mother a few years ago and she was very happy with the performance of the young footballers.
The young stars showed their skills at the lawn of the press club, for a while, and received appreciation from the audience.
Forward Raziq Mushtaq, who scored eight brilliant goals against India in Rio de Janeiro, said that he enjoyed every moment of the match against the defending champions.
Thanks to a major contribution by Mushtaq, Pakistan defeated India with a final score of 13-0.
Mushtaq, who scored a total of 15 goals throughout the tournament, said that he wanted to become a superstar like Lionel Messi, adding that there are many undiscovered stars in the streets of Pakistan who need proper training and encouragement.
The street children from Pakistan participated in the Street Children World Cup, for the first time, with the support of two non-governmental organisations — Azad Foundation and Muslim Hands.
Earlier, while speaking at a press conference, Syed Ziaul Noor, country head of Muslim Hands, said five players of the team would be sent to the United Kingdom to participate in league football. “Arrangements are being finalised and we are in touch with various clubs in the UK. Hopefully, by next month, five players will be leaving for UK.”
Speaking on the occasion, Director Azad Foundation Amjad Rasool said his organisation had been working for the rehabilitation of street children since many years.
He then shared the details of how his foundation picked these children from the streets and trained them to participate in the world cup.
Both organisations said they were now in search of more street children who would be trained for various other sports.
Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2014
