India to send teams for Homeless World Cup 2019

The Homeless World Cup 2019 will be held at Bute Park in Cardiff, Wales from July 27 to August 3.

The Indian team from Slum Soccer bound for the Homeless World Cup 2019 in Cardiff, Wales.

The Indian men's and women's football teams are set to test their skills at the 17th Homeless World Cup to be held at Cardiff's Bute Park from July 27 to August 3.

The competition is organized by the Homeless World Cup Foundation, a social organisation which advocates the end of homelessness through sport.

India sent a Slum Soccer team in 2007 and has been a regular participant since then. Last year, the national team was ranked 21st in men's category and ninth in the women’s.

The 2019 players trained in Nagpur under Homkant Surandase and Andy Hook, coaches of the men's and women's teams, respectively.

BookMyShow’s charity initiative, BookASmile is supporting Slum Soccer for the second time, said Prof Vijay Barse, founder of Slum Soccer - an Indian non-profit organisation that works to improve the lives of slum dwellers and the homeless through football.

Amruta Fadnavis, Slum Soccer patron, said: “The welfare and development of the underprivileged using football is very innovative, commendable and challenging at the same time. It takes lot of grit and passion to overcome all the hurdles and chase one’s dreams.”