Street side: Indonesia slum kids eye youth World Cup

‘Journey of a lifetime’

JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 16, (AFP): Somad rarely ventures beyond his impoverished Jakarta neighbourhood, 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

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.

Indonesian team coach Wahyu Kurniawan said children from poor neighbourhoods have a vitality that is key to breaking into professional football.

“Kids from the street are more active and tend to have more power and spirit,” he told AFP.

“My job is to convert those qualities into good football skill and sportsmanship on the field.”

But the tournament is about more than just sports — it’s to give a voice to marginalised children.

“Achievement in the tournament is not our main priority, it’s a bonus,” said Jessica Hutting from Kampus Diakoneia Modern (KDM), a children’s rights NGO that selected the Indonesian players.

“We use football as a tool to bring street-connected children together in a safe space where their voices can be heard.”