Football for a cause - 26th October 2022

Teenagers from Syria and Palestine have taken part, for the first time, in the Street Child World Cup, held this year in Doha. An 8 day football tournament it included 28 teams, both men’s and women’s from 24 countries.

The aim of the competition isn't just a chance for the teens to show off their football skills, but also to give them a chance at a better life. Hazem Attar and his family escaped from the Syrian city of Aleppo 7 years ago. Aged just 10 at the time, he endured a perilous boat journey before arriving in Turkey.

Hazem Attar: "We moved from Syria to Turkey by sea in 2016. I thought that the boat that took us would be modern and everyone would have their own room. But there ended up being more than 500 refugees on board, and we only just made it. Thank God we arrived OK."

The Street Child United organisation which holds the competition every four years, aims to ensure that every child has a legal identity by helping secure passports for them. It also aims to protect them from violence and provide educational opportunities in hopes of creating a better future. Street Child United also supports them in getting their voices heard by their governments as they demand change.

Julia Pimenta is the teams and programmes manager at Street Child.

Julia Pimenta: "Football is the language that we all speak here. So even though we don't speak the same languages, we understand each other. We understand playing football. So football is also the way for these young people to bond so they can deliver their message to the governments to talk serious when we need to. But is only possible because of football."

Hanin Saleh, the Palestinian team goalkeeper and Hazem Attar from the Syrian team are clear on what they want.

Hanin Saleh: "This is the first time that Palestine is participating in a youth World Cup. We came here to talk about our country and the rights of our country and our rights, and we are so happy to be here in Doha. The right to play, the right to education, the right to express ourselves."

Hazem Attar: "We want a safe country. The second thing we are asking for is for families to be reunited. Currently, Syrians are separated, whether they are in Europe or elsewhere."