“Football is something that unites us”
|Fátima Harthi and Kouma Dembele represented Spain in Fuenlabrada. Image: HWC/Rebecca Corbett
The Homeless World Cup welcomed seven nations to Fuenlabrada, a city located in the Community of Madrid. The host nation, Spain fielded two teams, Malena Miralles caught up with two of their players Fátima Harthi and Kouma Dembele.
It was a significant weekend for the Spanish teams, for the first time since 2011, they were competing at a Homeless World Cup event. Fátima Harthi and Kouma Dembele were part of the squad.
16-year-old Fátima, first joined the team at Dragones de Lavapiés when she was only eight. Working her way up through the junior ranks, she was delighted to be part of the squad representing Spain.
Her journey to the tournament, is a path of not only sporting growth but personal growth, influenced by the values and the support of the club she trained and grew up with.
“I found peace, thanks to the calmness, support and confidence of the team, coach and directors. There is a lot of empathy, listening and love between us. Dragones de Lavapiés is a great club, bringing people together through sport. There is love between us all. The love is what you take home after training and the matches finish. Dragones is my second home.”
“I feel very excited to represent Spain”
Fátima’s father, who is from Morocco, competed for his country as a youth player. It was a dream come true for him, but when he moved to Spain, the chance to play for Morocco disappeared. Seeing Fátima play for Spain has brought the pair even closer.
“I feel very excited to represent Spain. I feel that I am someone important. My father played for the Moroccan national team when he was younger, football is something that unites us.”
It’s emotional for Fátima to be in Fuenlabrada, participating in the tournament and not only representing Spain but representing Dragones de Lavapiés.
This has marked a major change in her life, reminding us of the significance of taking part in this sort of sporting event. She explains, smiling, that it’s made her valued: “I feel like someone important by being here.”
“It’s not easy to live abroad”
Fátima’s teammate, 21-year-old Kouma Dembele had a very different journey to representing Spain in Fuenlabrada. He’s originally from Mali and arrived in Spain on 20th December 2021, less than a year later he is already fulfilling a goal that brings him closer to his childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer.
The complex situation in Mali, the ongoing war, conflict and social challenges, forced Kouma to emigrate leaving his family behind. Kouma’s story is one of courage and bravery, qualities which also he brings to the football pitch.
His journey to the Canary Islands took days. On his arrival, he was supported by a charitable foundation who he credits for giving him a chance for a better future.
Moving to Spain has been a struggle for the Malian footballer: “It’s not easy to live abroad, but the foundation introduced me to Dragones and now I am part of the team. In the squad there are many immigrants who are in a similar situation to me, they help us a lot and help us to improve our lives.”
Since December 2021, Kouma has found a new direction and sense of motivation. A lot of this has been through sport, and his new Spanish team. It was a challenge to leave Mali, but at Dragones de Lavapiés he has found new friends in a similar situation – other young men and women working towards their future.
“In my country there are many problems, I had to leave without my family. But here, I have found a new family.”
Find out more about Dragones de Lavapiés and their work in Spain.
Words: Malena Miralles
Images: Rebecca Corbett