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The Brazil favela staging its own World Cup The Brazil favela staging its own World Cup
(35 minutes later)
It could justifiably be described as the biggest party on the planet. But as kick-off for the World Cup approaches, the reality dawning on many of Brazil's poorer residents is that not everyone is invited.It could justifiably be described as the biggest party on the planet. But as kick-off for the World Cup approaches, the reality dawning on many of Brazil's poorer residents is that not everyone is invited.
The Favela World Cup hopes to change that. Organised by Football Beyond Borders – a not-for-profit organisation that uses football to fight prejudice and inequality – the one day event on 15 June aims to bring a small piece of the fun and excitement of the World Cup to members of a football-mad community who are unlikely to be able to afford a match ticket.The Favela World Cup hopes to change that. Organised by Football Beyond Borders – a not-for-profit organisation that uses football to fight prejudice and inequality – the one day event on 15 June aims to bring a small piece of the fun and excitement of the World Cup to members of a football-mad community who are unlikely to be able to afford a match ticket.
"People are sceptical about all the promises the government have made about the potential benefits of the World Cup," says Jack Reynolds, a founding member of Football Beyond Borders, who now lives in the favelas and has helped set up the tournament in Salvador de Bahia. "They are sceptical because the only sign of any change around the World Cup in our community has been that the police raids have become more frequent. None of the people we know have any involvement in the World Cup – whether it is through having a ticket or meeting fans from around the world. By organising this tournament, for one day at least we'll be putting these people and these communities at the centre of the World Cup party.""People are sceptical about all the promises the government have made about the potential benefits of the World Cup," says Jack Reynolds, a founding member of Football Beyond Borders, who now lives in the favelas and has helped set up the tournament in Salvador de Bahia. "They are sceptical because the only sign of any change around the World Cup in our community has been that the police raids have become more frequent. None of the people we know have any involvement in the World Cup – whether it is through having a ticket or meeting fans from around the world. By organising this tournament, for one day at least we'll be putting these people and these communities at the centre of the World Cup party."
Fifteen-year-old Albert Guilherme, a student from Alto de Ondina, welcomes the opportunity to take part in the tournament. He and other locals will join forces with travelling fans to form the tournament's eight seven-a-side teams, representing the eight countries playing group games in the city.Fifteen-year-old Albert Guilherme, a student from Alto de Ondina, welcomes the opportunity to take part in the tournament. He and other locals will join forces with travelling fans to form the tournament's eight seven-a-side teams, representing the eight countries playing group games in the city.
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"When we were awarded the World Cup, I was thinking it was going to be the best thing ever," he says. "But in the end I'm not going to have the chance to enjoy it fully and I don't have the money to get any tickets. This will be a renovation, a renewal, a World Cup that I'll actually be able to participate in.""When we were awarded the World Cup, I was thinking it was going to be the best thing ever," he says. "But in the end I'm not going to have the chance to enjoy it fully and I don't have the money to get any tickets. This will be a renovation, a renewal, a World Cup that I'll actually be able to participate in."
The event will also add "a whisper" to the growing chorus of protest across the country about the perceived greed, corruption and incompetence of Fifa and the Brazilian government. Violent demonstrations have taken place across Brazil in recent weeks, with protesters bearing banners stating: "Fifa go home" and "A World Cup without the people means we're back on the street again!" Others, angry at the billions spent on the tournament's infrastructure, have called for "housing not stadiums".The event will also add "a whisper" to the growing chorus of protest across the country about the perceived greed, corruption and incompetence of Fifa and the Brazilian government. Violent demonstrations have taken place across Brazil in recent weeks, with protesters bearing banners stating: "Fifa go home" and "A World Cup without the people means we're back on the street again!" Others, angry at the billions spent on the tournament's infrastructure, have called for "housing not stadiums".
"I'm not dissatisfied with the Brazilian national team, nor with the sport, but with the political corruption and the fact that this is not a country of equals," says Minho Falcaõ, 26, a professional futsal – five-a-side – player from the Fazenda Grande de Retiro favela in Salvador. "The people are unhappy about the size of the spending on the construction of stadiums when we have a decaying education system and a decaying public health system crying out for help.""I'm not dissatisfied with the Brazilian national team, nor with the sport, but with the political corruption and the fact that this is not a country of equals," says Minho Falcaõ, 26, a professional futsal – five-a-side – player from the Fazenda Grande de Retiro favela in Salvador. "The people are unhappy about the size of the spending on the construction of stadiums when we have a decaying education system and a decaying public health system crying out for help."
Taking part in the Favela World Cup, however, is something Falcaõ can "be proud of". As he explains with passion: "It's something without political demagoguery, without hypocrisy, only the truth. The dream, the struggle, the desire to show one's talent. The smiles on the faces of those who have only sport as the exhaust valve to the sad reality of life."Taking part in the Favela World Cup, however, is something Falcaõ can "be proud of". As he explains with passion: "It's something without political demagoguery, without hypocrisy, only the truth. The dream, the struggle, the desire to show one's talent. The smiles on the faces of those who have only sport as the exhaust valve to the sad reality of life."