Street Child United and Bal Raksha Bharat India will make the ‘Invisibles’ Visible at the Street Child Cricket World Cup 2023

14/04/22

Latest News

19

New Delhi, 12th April 2022: Bal Raksha Bharat, India (Bal Raksha Bharat) and Street Child United will welcome 22 teams from 16 countries to India next year for the Street Child Cricket World Cup (SCCWC 2023) Taking place in September ahead of the ICC World Cup, the unique ten day event will see street-connected children & young people take part in a mixed-gender cricket tournament, a festival of arts and a congress to champion the rights of street children worldwide.

The SCCWC 2023 will be the second edition of the tournament following the success of the inaugural event in London/Cambridge 2019, where eight teams competed, and Team India South emerged victorious after beating hosts England in a highly competitive final.

The winners will return in 2023 to defend their title alongside seven other teams from India who will represent organisations from across different regions of the country. They will be joined by teams from: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, England, Hungary, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

However, the objective of the SCCWC is much more than just a cricket tournament. It is a global platform that gives street children an opportunity to connect, share their experiences and present their demands of human rights to the world: the right to identity, the right to access education, the right to protection from violence, the right to access health care and other fundamental rights that the world’s estimated 150 million street children are often deprived of.

The event will have a central focus on ‘identity’ and the access to services that come with a formal ID and/or birth registration.

Speaking about the goals of the Street Child Cricket World Cup, Street Child United’s founder and CEO John Wroe said, “The SCCWC will be a catalyst for One Million Young People globally receiving identity for the very first time. This is our legacy challenge for the 2nd SCCWC. It will be achieved because the whole world will conspire with us. The whole world will get on the side of street children. And finally, those that are often put last, will be put FIRST. We are delighted to be working alongside our in-country partners, Bal Raksha Bharat India. This is a unique event that can show the world how cricket is helping give street children a voice to challenge the negative perceptions they face. It is a universal call for governments to ensure that street. We are extremely excited to be working alongside Bal Raksha Bharat India to deliver the SCCWC 2022. This a unique event that can show the world how cricket is helping give street children a voice to challenge the negative perceptions associated with their situation. It is a universal call for governments to ensure that street children everywhere are better protected, and granted access to basic services that so many of us take for granted.

Sudarshan Suchi, CEO, Bal Raksha Bharat, India who commented, “In India we work to make the ‘invisibles’ visible because we believe every child deserves an identity. Cricket is the sport of the nation and we can’t wait to host the SCCWC here in India and show the world what a powerful vehicle cricket can be in helping drive the change we want to create for these young people.”

In addition to the partnership between Street Child United and Bal Raksha Bharat the SCCWC 2023 will be a collaboration of efforts with a number of other supporting organisations and individuals including the World Bank, ICC and the British High Commission.
The British Deputy High Commissioner Chennai, Oliver Ballhatchet has been integral to the SCCWC organising committee and looking forward to welcoming the SCCWC 2023 to Chennai next year says, “When you learn about the work done by the incredible organisations participating in the SCCWC it’s impossible not to be part of the journey to help create positive change in these young people’s lives. We have a platform, we have an opportunity and together we’re going to show the world that cricket is more than just a game.”

Full details of all participating organizations can be found on the SCU website www.streetchildunited.org

———————————————–END———————————————–

For more information please contact:

In India
Geeta Lama
Geeta.lama@savethechildren.in
7708655058

Overseas
Hannah Fowles
Hannah@streetchildunited.org

About Street Child United:

● Street Child United uses the power of sport to change the way the world negatively sees and treats street-connected young people, so they can be protected, respected and supported to build a life away from the streets.

● Ahead of the world’s biggest sporting competitions, Street Child United organises international sports events for street-connected children to be seen and their voices heard – on a level playing field.

● The charity’s flagship initiative is the Street Child World Cup, an international football tournament and congress for street-connected children, which kicks off-ahead of each FIFA World Cup. The first Street Child World Cup took place in South Africa 2010. There has subsequently been Street Child World Cups in Brazil (2014) and Moscow (2018).

● In 2019, the first Street Child Cricket World Cup was hosted in London and Cambridge ahead of the ICC World Cup.

● The next Street Child World Cup will take place in Doha 2022. 24 teams of street-connected young people will come together from all around the world, proudly representing their country, demonstrating their potential and calling for their rights.

Pulkit Arora

Manager-Brand & Communication

“With over 12 years of dedicated experience in the social development sector, I am passionate about championing child rights and community empowerment through innovative communication strategies. As a Digital Marketing Manager for digital Campaigns and Communication with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children), I have honed my expertise in orchestrating impactful campaigns online and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders to drive positive change."