Calgary is hosting the national soccer tournament for the Homeless World Cup this weekend.
Up to eight players will be chosen, from teams across the country, to represent Canada at the World Cup in Australia in December. The World Cup is made up of 52 countries and the games are 14 minutes long.
Organizers say soccer doesn't solve all the problems of the homeless players but it does give the athletes good life skills. "Everybody who comes through this program does better. It may take them some time but they do either go onto other cities or find jobs. I have two returning players from Copenhagen now who are working fulltime," says Kevin Scullion a homeless World Cup volunteer.
Player Paul Dimi says he plays for the love of the game. "It makes you feel worth living, strive for something that's there," says Dimi.
This weekend the tournament to choose Canada's players will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Northeast Soccer Facility at 401 33 Street, N.E. The games start at 10 a.m. and run every 30 minutes until 4 p.m.
The homeless national tournament was started five years ago. To find out more about the Homeless World Cup, click on the link above.
