Mumbai : Street-connected children from North India participated in the play-offs of the first ever Street Child Cricket World Cup today, playing at the home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, UK.

The Street Child Cricket World Cup has united street-connected young people from seven countries to play in their own international cricket tournament to challenge negative perceptions and treatment of street-connected people from around the world.

The young people played on the main ground of Lord’s, the same spot that will set the stage for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup later this month. The teams also visited the Pavilion, participated in a presentation in the Long Room and received the same hospitality that professional teams receive on match day.

The teams also took part in the General Assembly, which lies at the heart of the Street Child Cricket World Cup. In the Thomas Lord suite at Lord’s, the young people were able to speak on behalf of street-connected young people from across the world in front of an audience of politicians, leaders and the global media. This followed a series of preparatory Congress sessions, led by Street Child United partners StreetInvest, Baker McKenzie LLP and the Consortium for Street Children, in which the young people discussed their lived experiences, learned about their rights and were equipped with the skills to be advocates for change.

Anjali, who played for Team India North, said: “I am very glad to be here today as a street child who got the opportunity to come to Lord’s to play cricket and to have my voice heard on behalf of other street children.”

At the General Assembly, Team India North said: “We do not have the right to identity and gender equality and do not have access to education and healthcare. No child should work to earn for his or her food. We call on the government to act on these issues and to ensure that all children have these rights.”

John Wroe, Co-Founder and CEO of Street Child United, said: “The Street Child Cricket World Cup has created a global platform for street-connected young people to be heard. We couldn’t have done this without the help of MCC’s generous hospitality. All of us here at Street Child United are extremely

India had sent 2 teams to SCCWC, while the young North Indian team put in superb fielding performance, with Ayushman awarded as the Best Fielder for the Tournament, Team South India brought the World Cup home by winning the tournament.

The SCCWC was held in May 2019, ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, is the first Cricket World Cup for street-connected children. India sent two teams, with India North being put together by Save the Children and The HOPE Foundation. PTC India Financial Services Ltd supported the children’s participation along with creating national and international visibility of Children in Street Situation.