Nigeria Launches Football For Hope Festival Site In S’Africa

Nigeria has launched its

            “Football For Hope Festival 2010” site where a team of Nigerian youths will battle their counterparts across the world during the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

The site was inaugurated by Danny Jordaan, the Chief Executive Officer of 20 10 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.

Located in the Alexandra township, a suburb largely comprising the poor, the site will host matches among 32 teams in a five-a-side mixed soccer competition.

The 32 teams of boys and girls from disadvantaged communities worldwide will gather at the site for a festival of education, culture and football during the mundial.

Jordaan said the World Cup of Alexandra was one of hope, aspirations and dreams of young people across the globe.

“The World Cup is not only about big stars; there is another World Cup, that of Alexandra” he said, describing it as a tool for social development.

He said that the event must be used to build better people, better future and as an instrument of positive change in Africa.

FIF A’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Federico Addiechi, said the world football governing body was investing at least 0.7 per cent of its total revenue in social responsibility initiatives.

He said that FIFA’s choice of Alexandra for the tournament was based on its goal of using football as a tool for social change.

The Managing Director of Street Football World, Jurgen Griesbeck, said the festival would be a celebration of the contributions of football to development.

He said the participating teams would play five-a-side in 12-minute games without referees.

Nigeria’s team to the tournament would be selected by Search and Groom Youth Development Centre.