World Cup Initiatives Inspiring Hope

Every four years, fans from every corner of the world unite to paint their faces and celebrate a sport that globally inspires more than any other, soccer. Call it futbol, football or soccer, its all the same beautiful game, and as we prepare for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the inspiration of the sport is evident as numerous initiatives have gotten the ball rolling…below are several examples of how the power soccer is being harnessed to help underprivileged children, families, elderly folks and redheaded bloggers.

A FIFA-backed football (soccer) project in Johannesburg is helping to educate hundreds of children in one of its poorest neighborhoods. ‘Football for Hope‘ teaches youngsters important health messages and will culminate in its own World Cup with teams from deprived areas coming to compete from all over the globe.

World Cup fever has even spread to the elderly folks in South Africa…twice a week, hundreds of poor, South African grannies in aprons and skirts ditch their domestic chores for a game of soccer…grannies even wear soccer boots instead of their usual rubber sandals to play in local matches.

This hottie, John Lovejoy, is aiming to raise tens of thousands of dollars for soccer-focused charities as he leads ‘World Cup Trek’ entrants driving “the cheapest, worst, lightest cars” from the site of the 2006 World Cup (Berlin), to Cape Town, where the competition kicks off in June. You can follow the journey via his Facebook Group.

Last month, Queen Rania of Jordan (L) showed her support for the ‘1 Goal: Education for All‘ campaign at the Campidoglio or Capitol Hill, in Rome, Italy…The initiative aims to raise funds from soccer supporters ahead of the 2010 World Cup in an effort to provide better access to education for children living in less economically developed countries…1GOAL’s ambitious campaign in the field of education will change the lives of children living in poverty…FIFA considers this campaign to be key to achieving a pledge made by world leaders in 2000: education for all children on earth…last week, honorary U.S. co-chair for 1GOAL, actress Jessica Alba, (pictured with Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y.) visited Washington to lobby U.S. leaders to support 1GOAL.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com