14 August, New Delhi: With two big-ticket cricketing events scheduled to be held in India in the next three years, the country is also gearing up to host the second edition of the Street Child Cricket World Cup (SCCWC 2023), which will be played just ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023. The event follows the Street Child Cricket World Cup 2019, which took place in London and Cambridge, with the Finals at Lord’s – the Home of Cricket.
Announcing their partnership with the leading child rights organization Save the Children, Street Child United (SCU) (which is the UK based entity which has a legacy of holding street child tournaments around major sporting festivals like FIFA, Olympics and more) is now inviting applications globally.
Announcing the global selection process open at the Soccer and Sixes event virtually, John Wroe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Street Child United, said, “After the success of the inaugural Street Child Cricket World Cup at Lord’s in 2019, we are thrilled that we are heading to India in 2023. In the country where cricket can only be described as a religion, we will ensure that the game we all love provides an unprecedented opportunity for our young people to show just how remarkable they are, and effect global change for street-connected children. Whether you are a life-long Street Child United supporter or coming across our work for the first time today, you are invited to join us on an epic journey to help us show the world that ‘we are all somebody’!”
Dia Mirza, Bollywood Actress and Brand Ambassador Save the Children added, “The Street Child Cricket World Cup is a unique platform for street-connected children across the globe to come together and make their voice heard. Here the power of sports provides an opportunity to these children from diverse contexts to unify and advocate for a common goal, a goal to change the lives of street-connected children in India and around the world. SCCWC is not only about the game but children’s voice & their journey and their call upon global leaders for the change they want. It is truly #MoreThanAGame! And if sports can give them dignity through an identity, this is such a wonderful way to give them an opportunity!”
Bidisha Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children said, “One of the foundations of the success we have had so far has really been partnerships. Although these children come from various countries, many of the challenges these children face are so similar. This is an opportunity for two organizations who have a common vision – to inspire people, rally together for millions of ‘invisible’ children around the world, and motivate these children to take action for their right to identity. This will be an exhilarating moment to make ‘The Invisible Visible’. ”
“Street Child Cricket World Cup for us has been more than a game. It was a platform that gave us an unthinkable opportunity to represent the country and demand identity and rights on behalf of street children. People don’t care about street children but this platform made us feel that we were also somebody, could get opportunities like others and dream of a better life than being on the streets forever,” said Anjali, who spoke about her experience of being a part of the SCCWC 2019 Team India North.
Andile, a young man who played for South Africa at the very First Street Child World Cup in 2010,
said: “When people see us by the streets, they say that we are street boys. But when they see us playing sport, they say that we are not the street boys – they say that we are people like them.”
Sport has a unique magic. Through playing it and watching it, people all over the world are connected and united. The Street Child Cricket World Cup exists to create a global platform for amazing young people like Andile, and the vital organizations that support them. This happens so that their voices can be heard across the world.
Jasmin, Team England captain, and Street Child United Young Leader,
Said: “It was an honor for me to captain Team England at the First Street Child Cricket World Cup, held at Lords. We were proud to host so many brilliant young people from around the world, and we made friends for life. The Street Child Cricket World Cup gives young people a voice, allowing us to share our burdens and work together to make a change. Personally, since playing in the final in 2019, my confidence and public speaking have improved massively and I was proud to be able to speak at Lord’s and the Houses of Parliament about gender equality. I cannot wait to continue the journey and head to India in 2023! The Street Child Cricket World Cup is more than a game. It is only possible because the whole world conspires with us.”
The ten-day event will be a congregation of young street-connected children from across the globe, who, by representing their countries at an international sporting event, demonstrate their grit and spirit of “I am somebody”.
Desirous of bringing global attention to the status of vulnerable children in their countries, these children will also advocate for their rights and protection through a child-focused Congress and General Assembly, here in India. This is also an opportunity to drive global and country-level commitments for the rights of street-connected from the participating countries.
As India gears up to unite the world on this historic event, the event, along the way, aims to engage with young leaders, youth advocates, influencers, public figures, sportspersons, organizations, and other partners, who will encourage these children with their support.
About:
Street Child United is a UK- based charity with a unique and proven model for delivering social impact – using the power of sport to provide a global platform for street children to be seen and their voices heard. Ahead of the world’s biggest sporting competitions, we organize international sports events for street children to change the way young people like them are seen and treated across the globe.
Save the Children works across 20 states of India and in 120 countries, on issues related to education, health, protection and humanitarian/DRR needs of children, especially for those who are the most deprived and marginalized. Save the Children’s s association with India is more than 80 years old. Visit www.savethechildren.in for more information.