A GEELONG based participant of the Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer program has been selected to represent Australia at the 2016 Homeless World Cup in Glasgow in July.

PHOTO: Obaidullah (second from right, back row) along with the other members of the 2016 Australian Homeless World Cup team pose for a photo with Federal Minister for Health and Sport, Sussan Ley.

Obaidullah is one of seven homeless and disadvantaged players who were selected for the team, which was formally announced in Canberra on Wednesday. The Minister for Health and Sport Sussan Ley MP and Senator Glenn Lazarus were in attendance to congratulate the players and to present them with their team jerseys.

This year, the Homeless World Cup will be in Glasgow, Scotland, from 10-16 July. Teams from 51 nations are expected to compete at the event.

The Big Issue CEO Steven Persson said the tournament used the universal language of soccer to break down barriers and promote community engagement for players from all walks of life.

“The Homeless World Cup is an opportunity for our Street Socceroos to connect with homeless and disadvantaged men and women from around the world in the spirit of friendship, social inclusion and fair play,” he said.

“For some, this is also their first opportunity to travel outside Australia.”

Obaidullah joined the Community Street Soccer Program, based at the Leisuretime Centre in Norlane West, when his family came to Australia from Pakistan five years ago.

“I love going there, it’s a beautiful place to be socialising with people,” he said. “The people are so friendly and welcoming. That encouraged me to keep coming back every week.”

He said soccer is now a big part of his life and Street Soccer staff helped him find paid work as a referee. He’s proud of the health and fitness he’s achieved through training sessions.

Obi, who last year played with the Geelong Soccer Club, recently completed his Year 12 studies and is looking forward to starting university soon. He’d like to study international relations and dreams of working at the United Nations one day.

The Australian team was selected from hundreds of participants in the Community Street Soccer Program – a national grassroots initiative that uses soccer to help participants reconnect with their community and make positive changes in their lives.