Some of them are day laborers, others make pitiful wages working in tea plantations, some come from distant hill regions, some have physical disabilities, and some persist in their education despite all odds. They share the same characteristic in that they lack secure places to dwell.
Another thing the band members have in common is their desire to represent Bangladesh in the upcoming Homeless World Cup, which will take place in California, USA, from 6 to 15 July.
Their World Cup journey was properly launched on Friday morning at the central pitch of Dhaka University with an exhibition game. After a 2-2 tie, the Bangladesh Homeless World Cup team defeated a team of DU students in the friendly game by winning the tiebreaker.
The opening goal was scored by Md Nayan Mia of the homeless World Cup team with a header in the first half. Zilanur Rashid and Muhibullah Rafi each scored twice as DU seized a 2-1 lead. Prenchong Mro brilliantly scored a late equalizer for his team.
A primary squad of 25 men has been assembled by Sports for Hope and Independence (SHI) using talent searches and its own support network in the regions of Bagerhat, Satkhira, Bandarban, Moulvibazar, Kishoreganj, and Kushtia. After undergoing training, eight of them would compete in the 18th World Cup. The tournament is put on by the Homeless World Cup Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes using sport to eradicate homelessness.
Prenchong Mro, a resident of Bandarban and a student at Chattogram University’s department of physical education and sports science, was overjoyed to be given the opportunity to join the preliminary squad.
“I’m excited and hope to be picked up for the final squad so that I represent my country in a global event,” Prenchong told Prothom Alo.
