Around the globe, football fans eagerly awaited the Preliminary Draw to
find out which opponents their nation will have to overcome to reach
the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. At the same time, the
Preliminary Draw marked an important milestone on the road to achieving
a lasting legacy for the African continent via the 2010 FIFA World
Cup™. On 25 November, the day of the draw, the Official 2010 FIFA World
Cup™ Campaign 20 Centres for 2010 was launched, setting the ball
rolling for positive social change across Africa.
FOOTBALL FOR HOPE
The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Official Campaign marks the first time
that the world's largest football event will harness the power of the
game itself to inspire positive social change. Following the success of
previous campaigns in 2002 ("Say yes for children") and 2006 ("6
villages for 2006"), the 2010 campaign will be conducted within the
framework of the Football for Hope Movement. Football for Hope
represents football's commitment to social development and is the key
element of the strategic alliance between FIFA and streetfootballworld.
20 CENTRES FOR 2010
The goal of "20 Centres for 2010" is simple: to raise 10 million
USD to fund the construction of 20 Football for Hope Centres across
Africa. Five centres will be located in South Africa, including one in
Alexandra in central Johannesburg and further 15 across the continent.
Each will feature a mini-pitch along with classrooms and health care
facilities, providing youths a place to play as well as access to
counselling, health and educational services.
The "software" of the 20 Football for Hope Centres will be provided
by already successfully established local non-governmental
organisations, all implementing partners of the Football for Hope
Movement and members of the streetfootballworld network, in order to
improve basic education, prevent diseases and promote health as well as
encourage the social integration of minorities and disadvantaged
populations in their respective communities.
DONATING FOR THE CAMPAIGN
Funds to realise the "20 Centres for 2010" in Africa will be raised
worldwide starting in 2008. Football fans from around the world can
contribute to" 20 Centres for 2010" by making a donation for every goal
scored by the team of their heart on the road to and during the 2010
FIFA World Cup™.
To get the ball rolling, FIFA has committed to contributing 500 US
dollars for every goal scored during the more than 800 FIFA World Cup
qualifying matches (a donation of at least 1 million US dollars) for
the construction of the Football for Hope Centres.
Football fans committed to helping African youth and to supporting
"20 Centres for 2010" can do so at a special section on FIFA.com as of
the 2nd quarter of 2008.
November 25th not only marks the start of the long road to
qualification for the majority of world's football nations. For Africa,
it represents the kick-off of a campaign using the beautiful game to
inspire positive social change across the continent.
