Indonesia slum kids eye youth World Cup
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Somad rarely ventures beyond his impoverished Jakarta neighborhood, but the 14-year-old is now gearing for a trip to Russia next month as a player in the 2018 Street Child World Cup.
It’s the journey of a lifetime for the aspiring striker and eight other Indonesian kids set to compete against teams of other disadvantaged children from two dozen nations.
The event’s third edition in Moscow is a long way from Bekasi on the outskirts of Indonesia’s teeming capital where Somad’s father sorts through foul trash heaps to find and sell usable goods.
Along with his food-seller mother, the teen lives in a 45-square-meter makeshift home shared with four other families.
“Not many kids can be as lucky as I am,” said Somad, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.
“I want to make my parents and friends proud so we can have better lives and have no need to be scavengers anymore.”
More than 200 children are participating in the seven-a-side soccer tournament, which was scheduled to kick off ahead of this year’s Russia-hosted World Cup.
Off the pitch, the kids will take part in art lessons, workshops and there is a conference focused on disadvantaged youth.
“I want to help Indonesia win the competition. But if we do win, I don’t want to show off,” says striker Bayu, picked for the Indonesian contingent from among more than 90 children.
“I want to share the experience with my friends when I’m back.”
In 2014, the boy’s team from Tanzania won the tournament while the girl’s trophy was claimed by hosts Brazil.
The inaugural 2010 event, started by British charity Street Child United, was played in South Africa.
But the tournament is about more than just sports — it’s to give a voice to marginalized children.
“Achievement in the tournament is not our main priority, it’s a bonus,” said Jessica Hutting from Kampus Diakoneia Modern, a children’s rights NGO that selected the Indonesian players.
“We use soccer as a tool to bring street-connected children together in a safe space where their voices can be heard.”