Milan HWC Diary # 1

Ricky for the Homeless World Cup

It all begins again. The Homeless World Cup of Street Football happens from September 5-to-13 in Milan, Italy. It’s THE international tournament of homeless folk: boys & girls, men & women. It’s 3:00am. I just got up and I can’t go back to sleep. I guess it’s a fine time to start this seasons diary. We will need anywhere from two to three million pesos to make this event happen in a good way. Last year, for the 2008 Melbourne HWC, we raised over one million pesos. It was quite good. This year, we’ll need more for 2009 Milan. And this year we’ll have some events designed to create awareness, promote the cause, raise the funds and take care of our Ninongs (Godfathers) and sponsors better. We also need to show that this is much more than the game. It’s about homelessness. I turn to the Good Book to help me cope. The Bible, today March 6 at 3:22am. Matthew 7: 7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” I think about that for awhile. It’s the catholic reading of the day. What a nice thing to read. This is all meant to be isn’t it?

It’s the Eye-In-The-Sky speaking to me. Here I am dwelling on the requirements of 2009 Milan and the Bible jumps right out and speaks up.

It’s really quiet outside. The dogs bark. I’ve also got a headache…it’s probably because I’m typing with no light. In a few hours, the rest of the city will be up. But for now it’s me and my thoughts. It’s also a great time to pray. I think about my friend Leo Arnaiz, president of the Baguio-Benguet Football Association. He gets up to pray at 5am daily. We’ll I’m way ahead of him this time. I’m also happy to say, 2009 Milan is officially on. Forward this diary to your friends and help it on its way.