The Homeless World Cup (HWC) is an annual street football competition in which teams from all over the globe, made up of people from economically disadvantaged or socially marginalized backgrounds, compete to highlight the challenges facing the homeless community and inspire others to tackle those challenges head on through the power of teamwork.
Started in 2001, the most recent HWC recently kicked off in Glasgow, Scotland, with 500 footballers taking to the pitch to compete for honor and glory. But one Indonesian footballer has already emerged as an early fan favorite.
Eman Sulaeman is a 27-year-old from Majalengka, West Java, who was born without a right foot and whose left leg ends at the knee. Despite his disabilities, he has long played football with his friends as a goalkeeper and was chosen to play the crucial role on Indonesia’s team at this year’s HWC.
It is not simply Eman’s disability that is earning him notice at the competition, but his incredible skill and reflexes that allow him to be an effective goalkeeper despite his physical limitations, consistently producing amazing saves.
Eman said he has been greatly enjoying the competition so far, telling the Daily Record: “I really enjoyed the atmosphere and it really inspired me to play well. This trip to Glasgow has been very exciting and I feel very proud to have been given the chance to represent Indonesia.”
The inspirational player has also been a key part of his team’s early victories in the tournament. Indonesia defeated India 8-3 and Cambodia 10-3 in their Group G matches.
Eman joined the Indonesian team through the Homeless World Cup’s partner organization in Bandung, Rumah Cemara, a community-based organization that works to improve the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS or dealing with substance abuse issues.
We wish Eman and the rest of the Indonesian team the best of luck as they enter the second stage of the tournament in which they will face off against Romania, Portugal, Costa Rica, Scotland and Denmark. We’ll be rooting for them!
