UNICEF, FIFA dedicate World Cup to children

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 21: The UNICEF and Federation of International Football Association have announced a global alliance for children, according to an UNICEF press release issued Tuesday in New York.

The FIFA has agreed to dedicate the 2002 World Cup to children under the banner of "Say Yes for Children." This is the first time a World Cup has ever been dedicated to a humanitarian cause.

"I am very much looking forward to this cooperation with UNICEF," said FIFA President Joseph Blatter. "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."

UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bealamy said that they were very excited about this partnership with FIFA. UNICEF chief said that it was not the first time that the UN agency and the world football governing body had joined force. "The game has been helping us to "Kick Polio out of Africa" and several of our Goodwill Ambassadors are current or former soccer stars who are working tirelessly to build a world fit for children."

Under their global campaign, the Alliance will to put children at the forefront of people’s minds and get people involved in changing the world with children, stated the press release.

The partnership will publicize the Say Yes for Children campaign which urges people everywhere to pledge their commitments to ten essential actions needed to improve and protect children lives, and to vote for the top three actions they think are most important.

Over 41 million pledges have been collected worldwide via the Web and paper ballots. The campaign was launched in April and spearheaded by a partnership of children rights organisaions seeking to build a Global Movement for Children.

Another message of the Alliance is that young people will be featured during 2002 World Cup events and festivities. At every game, children will lead the players on to the fields wearing FIFA/UNICEF "Say Yes" T-shirts. In addition a series of TV sp[ots are being planned with top footballers expressing expressing their support for Say Yes and urging fans to get involved.