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Kathmandu Thursday November 22, 2001 Marga 07, 2058.
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FIFA, UNICEF join forces to dedicate WC 2002 to children
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Nov 21
– The UN children’s fund UNICEF announced a partnership on Monday with FIFA, the
football’s world governing body, to dedicate the 2002 World Cup to children, UNICEF
country office in Nepal stated Wednesday in a press release.
This is the first time
a World Cup has ever been dedicated to a humanitarian cause. Over one billion cumulative
television viewers are expected to watch the World Cup games, which are being played in
Japan and South Korea next year.
At every game, children
will lead players onto the field wearing T-shirts marked "Say Yes" — the
slogan of a UNICEF campaign launched in April.
"Over a billion
people will have front and centre the idea of changing the world for children," the
release quoted Bellamy as saying.
A series of TV spots is
also planned with top footballers, including the Brazilian legend Pele, expressing their
support for "Say Yes" and urging fans to get involved.
To date, the campaign
has collected more than 41 million pledges of commitment via the Internet and paper
ballots to 10 essential actions needed to improve and protect children’s lives.
FIFA President Joseph
S. Blatter, according to the release, said next year’s World Cup would be the first
dedicated to a humanitarian cause.
"It is FIFA’s
obligation as a global sports organisation to help children all over the world, because
football offers fun and hope based on tolerance, respect and fair play."
"I am very much
looking forward to this cooperation with UNICEF," said FIFA President Joseph S.
Blatter.
Bellamy said this was
not the first time that UNICEF and football had joined forces, and noted that the game had
been helping with the "Kick Polio out of Africa" campaign.
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