In Message to Homeless World Cup, Secretary-General Hails Power of Sport to Raise Awareness, Promote Positive Change

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Homeless World Cup, in Glasgow, United Kingdom, today:

I am pleased to send my greetings to everyone involved in the fourteenth Homeless World Cup in Glasgow.

The Homeless World Cup is a pioneering social movement that uses football to inspire and promote positive change in people’s lives.

Its growth since the first competition in 2003 is remarkable.  The Homeless World Cup has impacted the lives of more than 1 million people around the world.

I thank the vast network of national partners, participants and volunteers for your commitment.

Through initiatives like this, sport brings people together, raises awareness and creates social cohesion.

I wish all the participants and teams in Glasgow the very best of luck in the tournament and beyond.

I don’t know which team to support, but I know you are all winners already.

Together, and with the help of sport, we can change lives and bring new hope to homeless people.