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Team Mysa may have won cup in the Football for Hope Festival, but ultimately all participants and residents of Alexandra were winners.
THE Football for Hope Festival ended on Saturday, 10 July at Number Three Square in Alexandra, turning the square into a hive of activity.
The Football for Hope Festival has put Alexandra on the world map, says executive mayor Amos Masondo
It was a day to be remembered for the many residents who came out to support the 32 teams that participated in the week-long tournament. The closing concert was also a way to give thanks to the people of the township in northeastern Johannesburg, who had come in large numbers to be part of a lasting legacy for their community.
Ending just a day before the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the culmination of the festival was a five-a-side competition organised by the City of Johannesburg, the Organising Committee, FIFA and Streetfootballworld.
With a concert on the day as well, it was not only about soccer but included much singing, dancing and award giving. Executive Mayor Amos Masondo said the festival was an opportunity for all people of Alex to network with others.
"This tournament has left a lasting legacy and Alex has now been put on the world stage. Together we have made this happen and we should be proud of ourselves," he added.
Social change
Participating teams, which came from across the globe, were made up of youths selected for their commitment to tackling social issues in their communities. There were no referees at any of the Football for Hope matches, with the focus on the teams talking out their differences and finding amicable ways to resolve conflict.
And this spirit really came to the fore in the final match, between the Search and Groom team from Nigeria and Kenya's Mysa. During play, there was a bit of confusion, with the teams having contradictory thoughts about whether a shot had crossed the goal-line or not.
Players came together in the middle of the pitch and decided between themselves how to resolve the impasse. It was an excellent example of what the participants had learned over the festival in workshops, forums and training.
Team Mysa from Kenya celebrate their victory over Search and Groom
"We all saw the spirit of togetherness here," said Juergen Griesbeck, the managing director of Streetfootballworld. "It was the final; both teams wanted to win badly. Maybe they had pressure from back home to do well. There were almost 3 000 people in the stadium, and still they showed the maturity to decide together without problems.
"They decided it was not in and played on, and they get all my respect for the way they handled it."
Kenya wins
In the end, Mysa won the match on penalty shootout, but just as Search and Groom had beaten Team Zambia in a shoot-out in the semifinal and then had helped to dry the eyes of their rivals, the East Africans comforted their West African opponents after the match.
Team Esperance of Rwanda beat South Africa's Grassroot Soccer in the third place playoffs, which were contested by teams knocked out earlier in the festival.
Although the youth were focused on the work they were doing off the pitch, the matches were also taken very seriously.
"The main purpose is to have fun and learn from other people," said Suliat Yusuf, the captain of Search and Groom. Suliat, a 15-year-old girl from Lagos, Nigeria, was displaced with her grandmother after their house was destroyed.
The organisation she represents is dedicated to fighting corruption and poverty. She said she would like to become a lawyer one day to help people who grew up like her. But first, she wanted the team in South Africa to draw attention to their cause.
Executive mayor Amos Masondo hands out football kits to participating teams at the Fottball for Hope 2010
"No-one cares about us in Nigeria, but we wanted to do well so people would have to recognise us. They believe we are homeless and helpless and we just wanted to show them different."
World Cup
Most of the youngsters were not only happy to have participated in the tournament but were also happy to have had the opportunity to meet others like themselves who were dedicated to uplifting their communities. Being a part of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa was also a big drawcard.
"It's amazing to be able to participate in a World Cup, and to see people from around the world has been unbelievable," said Football United's Mekhaled Alanezi, known as "MD", with a big smile. Mekhaled was born in Iraq, but lived in Kuwait, Jordan and Syria before settling in Australia as a refugee.
"It's so cool to have made new friends, and I've even learned a little bit of new languages. Really just being with people of other backgrounds is so nice. For instance, the team from Lesotho, known as Kick4Life, are so cool. I love them. Every night we danced together."
However the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the FIFA Fair Play Award which was won by the Spirit of Soccer team from Cambodia, in Southeast Asia. The team members promote landmine awareness in their country. This award was made based on a vote by the attendees.
Fair play was a consistent theme throughout the festival, and there was a real spirit of togetherness on display.
Griesbeck said it was an emotional day for everyone, but that it was "point zero" for the community. "I hope all of you will remember this moment," he said to the gathered youth before the final drumming salute to Alex.
"This is just a festival, an event. All of you will go home now, and you will carry this experience back with you, and you will have the responsibility to help change lives in your community."
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