Team Gomo Tong: Homeless World Cup 2006
From September 21 to October 1, 2006, Team Gomo Tong, representing Uganda, traveled to Cape Town, South Africa with the Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA) to participate in the Fourth Annual Homeless World Cup (HWC). This was more than a sporting event between nations and countries from around the globe. Rather, it was an opportunity for the marginalized and poverty-stricken to advocate on their own behalf to their communities, their country and the international stage.
Click here to download the Team Gomo Tong 2006 Brochure.
The Team
Team Gomo Tong consisted of four men and four women HWC players between 16 and 25 years old. Additionally, eight official Team Gomo Tong Peace Ambassadors did not play in the HWC, but undertook pre-HWC advocacy, skills trainings, and practice with Team Gomo Tong. These Peace Ambassadors met with HWC delegations from 30 different countries while spreading the message of hope and a commitment to eradicating poverty, conflict and AIDS in Uganda. Finally, four coaches from Namuwongo and Gulu served as project managers and trainers for the soccer players and peace ambassadors.
Our partner, the Katalyst Consultancy, hosted diarists from Team Gomo Tong. Check in for updates from team members in the lead up and during the Homeless World Cup in Cape Town at Katalyst At Large.
Click here for the Gomo Tong FC HWC 06' Player Profile.
Selection Process
The participants from Uganda were selected through try-outs in June and July 2006, and the player selection was based on several factors that included athletic skill, leadership, and overall commitment to continued educational and social change upon returning to Uganda. The participants returned to Uganda as heroes and champions in the belief that sports are a tool for co-existence, peace and development in Uganda.
After the Homeless World Cup
GYPA is building partnerships with other development organizations to promote and implement sport for development activities. CARE will be working closely with GYPA and the HWC team to capitalize on the players' role as Peace Ambassadors and role models to implement sport for social change projects in Uganda. These activities will target youth, especially girls, and include messages about HIV/AIDS, resiliency and livelihood strategies, conflict resolution and gender equity. CARE will also work closely with GYPA to develop income generating pilot projects that build upon the popularity of sports.
Our Partner
Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA), a non-profit organization dedicated to fundamentally challenging the way Americans engage with and understand Africa, has teamed up with Katalyst Consultancy to help Ugandan youth affected by conflict, AIDS, and extreme poverty. GYPA received a very generous donation from the Katalyst Consultancy, which includes the donation of equipment and uniforms for the soccer players.
GYPA strives to create partnerships between accomplished and emerging youth leaders in Africa and their talented American counterparts eager to bring fresh, pragmatic perspectives to Africa's challenges and to work together for innovative practical solutions. The Katalyst Consultancy's Founder, Kevin Carroll, is the author of the highly successful book, Rules of the Red Rubber Ball: Find and Sustain Your Life's Work, published by ESPN Books. His global work involves using the message and lessons of sport to enrich organizations, communities, and individuals. Kevin also has a blog: Katalyst At Large.
We wish the thank the following for their friendship, support, in-kind and monetary donations to Team Gomo Tong:
- SPARQ
- Peter Ruppe, Nike
- Todd Van Horne, Nike
- Laurie Kerns, Nike
- The Katalyst Consultancy Team
- Mike Lepis
- Annette Richardson
- Julian Johnson
- Michael Moore
- Ethan Zohn
- Wayne Lifshitz
- Andrew Mack
- Christy Stockton
- Ray Nelson