PHL Embassy in Brasilia Supports PHL Team in Street Child World Cup 2014

The Philippine Embassy in Brasilia, led by Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva G. Betita, attended the 2014 Street Child World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Ambassadors of Indonesia, Pakistan and the United Kingdom were also present, along with representatives from other embassies.

The Philippines participated in the competition for boys and girls, with the Girls Team as runner up of the event, bowing to Team Brazil at the finals with a 0-1 score. Tanzania won in the boys’ category. The ten-day event kicked off on March 28, with 19 participating teams, and with Indonesia and the Philippines as the only Asian teams.

The event is an initiative of UK registered charity Street Child United, and started in Durban, South Africa in 2010. With the aim of holding the event prior to the FIFA World Cup, it is a platform aimed at recognizing the rights of street children and promoting the global campaign, I Am Somebody.

The children had the opportunity to meet new friends and be exposed to other cultures. They were also given the chance to participate in an arts festival and an international conference on street children, which produced the Rio Rights Declaration. The event stressed that street children have the right to "protection, rehabilitation and opportunities", as mentioned in its own website.

At Fluminense Stadium, Ambassador Betita met with Mr. Bernard Vassas, Director of Equinox do Brasil, who also works with Fluminense FC, a football club that was founded in 1902. Mr. Vassas informed the Ambassador of their interest to work with the Philippines in mutually beneficial projects in sports. Equinox do Brasil is a Brazilian corporation created in 2008 in Rio de Janeiro with the objective of promoting cultural and international sports events. 

Source: www.dfa.gov.ph Date accessed: 06 May 2014