Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup: opening ceremony
Credit: Anita Milas
The lush central green in front of the accommodation blocks at Sac State turned red, orange, blue, green and every other colour under the sun as the world gathered in California’s capital ready to march in the spirit of hope and positivity, echoing the University’s motto to ‘Redefine the Possible.’
Headed up by Australia - not forgetting their cuddly inflatable kangaroo - the 40 teams from 30 countries participating in this year’s Homeless World Cup cheered, sang and danced their way along the leafy lane leading to a vast arena which normally resounds to the chant of ‘Go Hornets’ and action involving a different shape of ball.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, the culmination of years of preparation, training and planning, for this, the 18th tournament in 20 years. Herky the Hornet, Sac State mascot, was on hand to high-five the athletes with referees, coaches and volunteers joining in the fun.
Credit: Anita Milas, Dan Higginson, Donnie Nicholson
As the teams proudly held their national flags aloft, there was a palpable sense of eagerness to get started, the tournament has been on hold since 2019 due to Covid-19. As the parade paused in a few locations to regroup, momentum built as the merry band closed in on Hornet Stadium.
Well-wishers had gathered at the gates to encourage the teams as they entered the arena, holding up hand-drawn signs of motivation and clapping in time to the songs and chants of the athletes. Positivity and possibility fills the air; at this stage anything can happen.
Duly assembled on the pitch, London-born NBC Sports presenter Rebecca Lowe assumed the MC role and introduced Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) founder Lawrence Cann, who presented special awards to Erika Bjork and Cassandra Pye for their work as Sacramento Directors on the SSUSA Boards.
Mayor of Sacramento, Darrell Steinberg, then stepped up to the mic to welcome the teams to the city, adding, “Soccer is a universal language - so is the language of hope, dignity and possibility. We too often give up on people who are having a hard time - we want to show you if you’re part of a team, you’re not struggling alone.
“If you dream and work hard to make something special happen, you have moments like these.”
Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen was then welcomed by the crowds filling the bleachers, assuring the participants, “You are our heroes, you are all Hornets today - we applaud you and we love you. This event is about changing the conversation around homelessness and creating solutions.”
As Homeless World Cup founder, Mel Young, then walked on to officially open the event, he repeated his mantra, “If we do small things, and do them together, we can change the world.
“This event will not only show great soccer played in the right spirit, but also show just what’s possible.”
The people of Sacramento cheered as one, underlining how much they’ve embraced the tournament. Hundreds have volunteered over recent months to pitch in and help with matches and all the other activities which make the event such an unforgettable spectacle.
Two of these local volunteers cheering on the teams are Ty Johnson and his supervisor Rebekah Turnbaugh, from Sacramento’s Downtown Street Team, helping people overcome homelessness with gainful employment.
“We’re all part of the contribution to ending homelessness,” says Ty. “We know all these men and women have the same challenges that we’re all in the business of getting rid of. Nobody should be without a home.
“Sacramento is really a soccer town, and when opportunities like this arise, our city will step up to the plate.”
Gazing across the pitch at the assembled throng, all creating their individual memories, Ty reveals that being at the stadium brings back his own unique memories of a previous life.
“This is where I qualified for the Olympics, back in the 80s” he reveals. “I was due to represent the USA in track and field but the week after the trials I was in a car accident and lost a hip, so that was an end to that dream.
“I always volunteer for Paralympic events and that gives me a buzz. I feel it’s good for homeless people to feel the energy of success again.”
Let the awesome, inspirational, much-loved games begin.
By Isobel Irvine and Alix Gunn