From November 26th to December 2nd, Paraguay hosted the second Encuentro Sudamericano de Fútbol Callejero (South American Street Football Encounter) organised by the South American Street Football Network (RSFC) and streetfootballworld network member Centro para el Desarrollo de la Inteligencia (CDI).

More than 180 young people from 11 delegations came together at the Paraguayan Olympic Committee's Sports Park, participating in activities that combine football, cultural diversity and social transformation. Participants included delegations from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Peru and Paraguay, and as special guests: Germany and South Africa. Many of the participating organisations are members of the streetfootballworld network.

INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE
During the first two days the youths attended activities promoting integration and developing dynamics that helped the participants to get to know each other and express their expectations and contributions at the meeting. They shared outdoor group games with physical challenges of concentration and coordination that sought to promote values linked to sports: solidarity, cooperation, and conciliation, among others. The enthusiastic participation of the youths in the activities ensured that they were able to overcome any cultural or language differences.

On Monday, November 26th, an opening press conference took place with the participation of notary Ramón Zubizarreta, President of Paraguay's Olympic Committee, Luis Fernando Ramírez, Coordinator of the South American Street Football Network, Fabián Ferraro, Regional Coordinator for streetfootballworld/Football for Hope and Vladimir Borković, Director of the streetfootballworld network.

Additionally, the streetfootballworld representatives in attendance took advantage of the opportunity for various internal meetings in order to plan the development of the network in South America and to talk about strategies and activities for the coming months and years.

STREET FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
On the afternoon of the 27th, the moment of the first sporting events finally arrived! The grounds of the Olympic Committee in Ñu Guazú were filled with colour and the enthusiasm of each delegation. Following the introduction of the teams, the ball started to roll on five street pitches simultaneously.

The system of scoring is different from traditional football. In this championship, points are awarded for respect, cooperation and solidarity during the match and of course, also goals scored per team! Additional points are awarded when a goal is scored by a female. Immediately after the match the teams meet on the side of the pitch to discuss the match and evaluate each team’s conduct. This is done with the aid of a mediator, who then awards each team “fair play points”.

MARISCAL LÓPEZ AVENUE TURNED INTO A FOOTBALL PITCH
On Saturday, December 1st, Mariscal López Avenue became the centre of all the street football action. Despite the intense heat, the youths of the second South American Street Football Encounter played out the final matches on the main avenue of the capital of Paraguay.

The system of elimination was direct and, although no team wanted to be knocked out of the championship, the youths demonstrated their passion for the Encuentro and for celebrating football beyond the final outcome. The grand finale was played late in the summer evening with Argentina and Bolivia facing off. Bolivia demonstrated their skills, winning 5 to 3 and claiming the second South American Street Football Championship.

EVERYBODY PLAYS AND EVERYONE WINS
Each delegation received trophies and all the players that participated in the encounter received medals because in street football "Everybody plays and everyone wins". The trophies were awarded by Dr. Nicolás Leoz, Chairman of South American Confederation of Football and Mr. Federico Addiechi, Head of CSR at FIFA and a member of the strategic development team for Football for Hope, the key element in the strategic alliance between streetfootballworld and FIFA.

The next and third South American Street Football Meeting will take place in Chile next year.


Translation to English by Sheena Mak.