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Tribune News Network
Rio de Janeiro
The dreams of 16 amazingly talented and brave street children from Caracol Favela in the Complexo da Penha, Rio de Janeiro, came true on Thursday as they took on a team of international football legends in a once in a lifetime surprise football match at Qatar Olympic Committee's Bayt Qatar in partnership with 'Save the Dream' and powered by Ooredoo.
Having been told by charity workers they would only travel a short distance to play a local team from neighbouring favela, the youngsters were astonished on route to the game when they were joined suddenly on their team bus by Brazil's World Cup winning captain, Cafu!
For the children it was the first of a long list of exciting surprises all captured on an inspiring film to be released by Qatar Olympic Committee. After boarding the bus Brazilian hero Cafu then took his new young friends to play against fellow all-stars Zico, Trezeguet, Karembeu, Dunga, Petkovif1'e6, Felipe, Assuncao, Lucio and E Marcelo Travares.
The legends were all secretly waiting within the courtyard of Qatarf0's Olympic home for Rio 2016, Casa Daros which had been transformed from a traditional Qatari souk into a football pitch overnight.
On a typical day these children face the challenge of living in one of the most dangerous favelas in Brazil known for its poverty, unemployment, drug trafficking, gunfights and violence. But for the children who all belong to the Safe Space Programme ran by charity Street Child United this was no ordinary day.
Organised by the Qatar Olympic Committee and supported by Ooredoo to raise awareness for 'Save the Dream', the official charity of the International Centre for Sport Security, the Ooredoo Legends Match was created to celebrate and spread the true spirit of the Olympics to all communities in Rio especially local children from disadvantaged areas.
Commenting on the event HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), said: 'The QOC has come to Brazil for the Olympics with a simple ambition to share our passion for sport and our culture with the world. It is an ambition that has no boundaries, borders or limits so this specific event is very important to us as we want to reach out and engage all communities especially the next generation.
"In Brazil football connects to communities, creates lasting friendship and inspires people in a way that only sport can. We hope this experience will live in long in the memories of all who were part of this special occasion and help the children realise their dreams."
Although there was no winner on the day apart from sport and the Olympic values one of the stars of the mini-tournament and the short film on the 'dream day' was 15 year Livia Cristina who said:"I live for football. For me it is the greatest thing in the world and one day I want to play for Brazil just like Marta. So this is very special but I can't believe it just happened."
Muhammaed bin Henzab, President of the International Centre for Sport security (ICSS), expressed his pride for having the programme in Bayt Qatar in the Rio 2016 Olympics. He expressed his sincere gratitude to HE Sheikh Joaan for his support to 'Safe the Dream' initiative. He also thanked Ooredoo, the official supporter of the programme.
