Street children from around the world were welcomed to Durban, South Africa, this week for the first ever Deloitte Street Child World Cup to raise awareness of their plight and encourage governments to do more to improve the lives of street children around the world.

Street children have travelled in teams from Central and South America, across Africa, Asia and Europe to take part in the 10-day friendly tournament, which kicked off yesterday.

The tournament is being hosted by Umthombo Street Children, a South African organisation run primarily by former street children.

Representing the UK is a team of nine 14 to 16-year-olds from the M13 Youth Project, a ministry of Youth For Christ in Manchester. The project works with young people often labelled ‘hard-to-reach’ in the Ardwick and Longsight areas of Manchester.

Prior to their departure to Durban, the team of seven boys and two girls were mentored by Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere.

The Street Child World Cup is an initiative of Amos Trust. The Christian organisation’s Development manager Chris Rose said: “We are thrilled to have M13 Youth Project’s participation in the first ever Deloitte Street Child World Cup. This is an opportunity for them to represent the UK in supporting the rights of all children across the world.”

Organisers of the Street Child World Cup say they want to ensure the 2010 South Africa World Cup were not remembered for the abuse of street children but for a long-term change in their circumstances.

The initiative has gained the backing of high profile figures including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and footballer David Beckham.

Archbishop Tutu called on governments to guarantee the rights of street children.

“The Street Child World Cup demonstrates the tremendous potential of every single child, and especially street children, who are so often treated as less than human,” he said.

Beckham said: "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."