Dehkontee Sayon, Liberia deservedly won the "Best Female Player" award at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup and was a key member of Team Liberia, runners up in the first ever Women's Homeless World Cup. We caught up with her to see what the Best Female Player has been up to since she returned home:

"My friends and relatives have received me back home proudly. A soccer game was played in appreciation of my splendid performance and voting me as Best Female Player at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup," shared Dehkontee.

"We even presented our Runner up Trophy to the Government of Liberia. We hope the presentation will stimulate the Government to help us with our budget for 2009/2010."

So what else does she have planned now after her victorious return?

Dehkontee is passing her success on to other Women in Liberia sharing the "wonderful experience and opportunity she had" attending the Homeless World Cup with her community and encouraging other players to focus and keep playing the game as it "is a tool for their future."

"I really want to work with women organisations to help other needful women of my country."

"It is all very exciting. I am so happy and proud to acknowledge what football has done and continues to do for me," she adds.

Wallace Weiah, President of FODEDE the organisation responsible for grassroots development in Liberia and fielding Liberia's Homeless World Cup Squad said: "Dehkontee is being really positive about her future and this is proving to be an inspiration to all those around her. Her story of her humble beginnings of playing football as a homeless woman in her native country of Liberia and her journey to the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne has been watched by all at home and abroad."

Team coaches from 56 nations selected the following special awards at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

Best Male Player: Awarded to Carlos Magno, Brazil

Carlos demonstrated a high degree of individual skill, and technical ability throughout the tournament and worked hard in every game. He worked with his team mates to provide a style of football that was pleasing on the eye for the spectators.

Best Female Player: Awarded to Dehkontee Sayon, Liberia

Dehkontee is a talented footballer who showed a high degree of skill and awareness in all her games. She worked hard for her team when both in and out of possession and showed a great respect for her opponents.

Best Male Goalkeeper: Awarded to Thomas Cullen, Ireland

Tom is a strong character who dominated his goal and shows a good athleticism in moving across the area. He works in partnership with his defence to make it difficult for opponents to get clear shots at goal. A truly fantastic goalkeeper.

Best Female Goalkeeper: Awarded to Miki Kobyashi, Australia

Miki demonstrated a natural ability to be in the right place at the right time and be brave. Her constant gigantic smile won her a place in the hearts of the teams and the spectators.

Richard Ishmail Fair Play Award: Awarded to Canada

The Canadian team ethos and spirit demonstrated that taking part was the most important aspect of the event. They were always courteous in triumph and defeat and encouraged all teams to adopt this approach.

UEFA Coaches Award: Awarded to Portugal, Romania and Kyrgyz Republic

The coaches demonstrated a good mix of competitiveness coupled with a sense of Fair Play and discipline within their teams. Their teams played an exciting style of football and showed a good tactical awareness. This was down to the guidance and management from their Coaches.

Best Newcomer Team: Awarded to New Zealand

New Zealand had a team of mixed abilities and always gave their best. A must see was their traditional Haka Maori dance displayed great pride to the enjoyment of their opponents and the crowd.

Homeless World Cup Champions: Afghanistan

Dignitary Cup Winners: Ireland

City Cup Winners: Zimbabwe

Host Cup Winners: Mexico

Community Cup Winners: Rwanda

INSP Networking Trophy Winners: Malawi

Women’s Homeless World Cup: Zambia

Research conducted during the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup has shown that two-thirds of event spectators surveyed have changed their perspective of homeless people.

Over 300 fast and furious street soccer matches were played at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr from 1st - 7th December, showcasing the skill and passion of over 500 homeless and marginalised players from around the world.

Melbourne has embraced the event, with packed grandstands cheering, chanting and stomping their appreciation of the players and their sportsmanship.

Spectators feedback proves that sport has the power to change the world,

* 82 per cent of spectators surveyed during the Melbourne event agreed that the Homeless World Cup contributes to a sense of community well-being.
* 82 per cent also agreed that the Homeless World Cup breaks down stereotypes about the homeless community.
* 85 per cent strongly agree that the Homeless World Cup is a fun and entertaining event.

* Three-quarters of spectators agreed that the Homeless World Cup is an event that gives them an opportunity to show other people how special their community (Melbourne) is.

“It has put a face of humanity on the issue,” said one spectator. “Homeless people aren’t just people to be ignored. They have something to offer the community as much as anyone”.

Another spectator said: “This event has helped humanise the problem and reminded me it affects all ages and races.”


The Benefits of Community Street Soccer programs.

Researcher Dr Emma Sherry from Deakin University, Victoria, has also been conducting research with The Big Issue’s Street Soccer Program since 2006 and in 2008 she has interviewed over 90 participants from nine Street Soccer Program sites around Australia.

“The Big Issue Street Soccer Program assists many individuals, much more than just the eight players in the Homeless World Cup team,” Dr Sherry said.

“It provides them with connection back into the community, physical activity and links into support services.

“One out of five of the participants noted that their team members have become their family.

A legacy of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup will be the continued roll-out of 30 Street Soccer Program across Australia by The Big Issue, providing weekly soccer training sessions and support for homeless and marginalized people.

The Homeless World Cup has triggered and supports grass-roots football programs in over 60 nations engaging 30,000 homeless players every year.

irish playerThe Impact of the Homeless World Cup.

“The Homeless World Cup as an event assists in giving participants a goal but more importantly, it raises awareness of the issue of homelessness.”

Player research conducted by the Homeless World Cup international body consistently demonstrates that over 70 per cent of players experience a significant life change. They come off drugs and alcohol, move into homes, jobs, education and training, repair relationships and even become coaches and players.