Mixed teams of boys and girls aged between 15 and 18 are taking part in the Football For Hope festival – a tournament and programme of exchange and intercultural dialogue.
Young people from 32 disadvantaged communities around the world have come to South Africa for the festival. They are all members of organisations which use the sport to tackle social issues – from homelessness in the United Kingdom and landmines in Cambodia, to HIV/Aids education in South Africa and the integration of refugees in Australia.
The Federation Tahitienne de Football (FTF) has assumed a leadership role in Oceania by developing partnerships with non-football organisations working in different sectors of society, such as the Federation for the Disabled and Mentally Handicapped.
Ramona Riveta, coach of the Tahiti team competing at the event, says FTF’s inclusion in the festival is testament to the federation’s commitment in engaging with the community.
He says any measure of success for FTF at Football For Hope has already been surpassed.
“It has been a challenge to face teams of a high standard and the colder climate has been a shock to the system. But this event has already been a success for our team – we have experienced some great coaching programmes and met wonderful people from around the world.”
The matches at Football For Hope are unique in that there are no referees. Instead, competing teams meet prior to the match and discuss how the rules will be applied. A post-match meeting takes place to debrief the game’s events.
The tournament itself is split into two parts after the first group stage – the Football For Hope Festival trophy and the Alexandra Cup trophy.
“The FIFA Fairplay is a concept we are familiar with but the format of pre and post-match discussion is new,” Riveta says.
That newness has not been an obstacle for the FTF players, as team member Hiro Temataua points out.
“The highlight for me has been meeting the other players from around the world,” he says. “I enjoy the matches and the discussions before and afterwards.”
Despite the enthusiasm, positive results on the pitch have been hard to come by for the Oceania Football Confederation representatives.
“The performance of the team has been difficult because some of our opponents have been of a higher level than we are used to,” Riveta says.
“There is a difference in how teams are matched with respect to intellectual disabilities but it is wonderful to be here.”
FTF’s efforts at the festival have not gone unnoticed with local inhabitants though.
Alfred Mabena, a resident of Alexandra and long-time football administrator, says the presence of Tahiti gives local children something to aim for.
“This event is inspiring for children in Alexandra and when they see teams from around the world in their neighbourhood it gives them dreams to aspire to,” Mabena says.
FTF played Sports dans la Ville from France in their first game and, although they finished on the wrong end of the scoreline, the dialogue before and after the game proved fruitful.
Sports dans la Ville was founded in 1998 in Lyon to create a sports programme that would help young people from difficult neighbourhoods. It has grown into France’s largest non-profit sports organisation and has 1600 participants from Lyon, Grenoble and Saint Etienne.
Football is used to encourage participants to avoid anti-social behaviour and value teamwork, leadership and social interaction.
FTF’s opening match was followed up by a clash with The Kids League from Uganda. They are in action again on Wednesday with a matches against A Ganar Ser Paz (Ecuador) and Red Chileana de FC (Chile).
The second set of group stage games will be played on Thursday and Friday before the finals on Saturday.
The FTF squad is:
Elisa MOEAU
Reupena MOEAU
Mariata PAOA
Thomas RUPEA
Kesil TEAMOTUAITAU
Herenui TEIHOTAATA
Prisca TEMARII
Hiro TEMATAUA
Delegation leader: Patrice FLACCADORI
Coach: Ramona RIVETA
Young leader: Jeremy LE FORT
For more on Tahiti football visit www.ftf.pf