A PERMANENT base for the Homeless World Cup could be created in Edinburgh, The Scotsman has learned.

Organisers of the fast-growing annual football tournament are scouring the capital for potential sites for a global headquarters for the event. Coaches and referees would be expected to flock from around the globe to be trained up at the planned "centre for excellence".

The first contest for teams of homeless people was held in 2003 in Austria. The most recent was staged in Copenhagen last year, attracting more than 500 players and 48 countries, and it was famously won by Scotland. The team was honoured with a reception hosted by Alex Salmond, the First Minister.

The proposed Edinburgh complex would also host training sessions and competitions for homeless groups and community workers from across Scotland. At least four "street soccer" pitches are envisaged.

Mel Young, the event's founder, said: "The project is at a very early stage, but I wouldn't think it would cost anything more than £1 million to deliver."

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