Milano Wins 2009 Homeless World Cup

Milan, Italy has won the bid to host the 2009 Homeless World Cup, the world-class, annual, international football tournament using football to energise people who are homeless to change their own lives. 64 nations, 700 players will be united in the heart of the Italian football capital, Sempione Park, in September 2009.

The successful bid was awarded to a collaboration of Milan City Council, Milan Provincial Council, Italian Football Federation, Inter FC, Politecnico and Bocconi Universities, Terre di Mezzo street paper plus not for profit Organisations, professional fundraisers, social entrepreneurs and sportspeople, in a strong demonstration that the passion of Italy married with the power of football can change lives, can change the world.

Mel Young, President, Homeless World Cup announcing the decision to award Milan the 2009 Homeless World Cup said: "Passion and heart shone through the Italian bid: passion to resolve homelessness; passion for football; passion to host the best ever Homeless World Cup. To end homeless in the world, yes we need strategy, yes we need policy, but at the end of the day people must have the passion to end homelessness for it to happen."

Massimo Acanfora, President, "Milano, Myland" thanking the Homeless World Cup said: Milano, Myland' means Milan, everybody's city". In 2009 Milan will be the European Capital of Sport. The Homeless World Cup is much more than a sport tournament. With this Milan also has a chance to be the capital of tolerance, the capital of welcome, the capital of social care."

Italy won the Homeless World Cup in Gothenburg 2004 and Edinburgh 2005. Italy is represented by "Nuova Multietnica", a football team born in a Romany camp on the periphery of Milan and now composed of a multi-ethnic group, lead by Bogdan Kwappik, a Polish trainer.

The Homeless World Cup is a world-class annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people who are homeless and excluded to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. It has triggered and supports grass roots football projects in over 60 nations working with over 30,000 homeless and excluded people throughout the year.

Founded by world-leading social entrepreneur, Mel Young, the first tournament took place in Graz 2003 uniting 18 national teams and at the 6th Homeless World Cup in Melbourne 1-7 December 2008 at least 48 nations, 500 players will be united. It is supported by UEFA, Nike, UN, Ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand.

The impact of the Homeless World Cup is consistently significant year on year with 73% of players changing their lives for the better by coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, education, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for pro or semi-pro football teams.

Log on to www.homelessworldcup.org for more information.