These street girls from Bangladesh are striking the field at another Qatar World Cup: The Street Child World Cup.
Eti left home when she was 8 years old. “No one loves me in my family. I survived by begging. I used to beg all day on the train and I was often beaten for begging,” the 13-year-old recounts how life on the streets of Dhaka was for her.
Until recently, Eti was one of almost 1.5 million children living on the streets of Bangladesh, one of the poorest and most populous countries in the world. But today, Eti and her 11 friends are on a very different journey: they are representing Bangladesh at a tumultuous World Cup – the Street Child World Cup in Qatar.
The event, which takes place every four years and precedes the FIFA World Cup, brings together 28 street girls and boys soccer teams from around the world. The Street Child World Cup is more than just football. This is an opportunity to shed light on the feeling of homelessness and the triumphs children experience while in Qatar. In the words of Eti herself: “I am a drug addict and have no hope in my life. Now I come to Qatar to represent my country at this World Cup. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. I am pleased about the journey”.
Credit:
A movie by Gautam Singh
Additional Cinematography: Rawyan Shayema & Robin Paul
Sound on location: Sazzad Ahmed & Nikki Singh
Sound: Linus Bergman
Editor: Jameel Hodzic
EP: Tierney Bonini
