Chelsea FC-‘Right to Play’ Partnership Offers Mascot Position for Charity
Chelsea FC-‘Right to Play’ Partnership Offers Mascot Position for Charity
Chelsea Football Club is offering the ultimate ‘fan’ experience to those who love the Blues…for one lucky bidder to ‘Be the Official Mascot Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience’ with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Right To Play.
International humanitarian organization, Right To Play, recently sealed the six-year exclusive partnership to be Chelsea Football Club’s first ever Global Charity Partner. …the Chelsea-Right To Play partnership is aims to raise in excess of £2 million over six years. The funding generated will support Right To Play’s extensive humanitarian operations in 22 countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Right To Play President and CEO, Johann Olav Koss said: “This partnership is a celebration of Chelsea FC’s commitment to charitable organizations. We are delighted to be a partner of one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs and fastest growing global brands.” Continue reading
David Beckham Visits Hospital Down Under
David Beckham Visits Hospital Down Under
‘It is estimated that 100 million children live and work on streets around the world, where they are exposed to violence, abuse and exploitation. As a Dad with young children, I can’t imagine how life was for these young children living and working on the streets. They are exposed to so many threats and dangers, and are missing out on the basics in life – having people around who love and guide them.’ ~ David Beckham
Continue readingGift of Hope: Darfur United
Gift of Hope: Darfur United
“A simple round object made out of just about anything, a ball, can bring joy to the harshest places on earth.” Gabriel Stauring from his note ‘10 Things I’ve Learned’
A little while ago I wrote about Darfur United, and as I always do after a post, I follow the activities of the organization closely in efforts to feel confident in my posts. This year, hands down, Darfur United has exceeded my expectations. Continue reading
Right to Play With Dignity
Right to Play With Dignity
So…the NBA ‘lock-out’ continues with the first few weeks of the NBA season being canned, the commish is asking fans to focus on Euro games, players are tweeting like its their last day on earth, scrambling to resolve the matter even though they were told a year before the lockout not to spend their money on lavish trip to Vegas, but to hoard it. That’s a fact…so where is the dignity?
While I don’t support either side of the NBA lock-out situation, I feel that everyone has the Right to Play-as in ‘Right To Play’, the leading international humanitarian and development organization using the transformative power of sport and play to build essential skills in children and thereby drive social change in communities affected.
With support from all corners of the world-including Jordan, Lebanon, Uganda, Liberia, Rwanda, and the UK-Right to Play could school any organization on dignity and mutual respect for humanity and I dare any NBA locked-out player to take aim at something higher than Ego-games in their free time.
Why not do something dignified during the lockout and volunteer with Right to Play or any other non-profit? Take a ball to the local court and use sport to make a positive impact on the kids…the positive impact sport has on refugee children, former child combatants, children living with a disability, and young people at risk or orphaned by HIV, AIDS or war is astonishing.
Ballers, you could change and improve the world if ya just shifted your focus from yourselves to others.
On October 20th, Right To Play will participate in Global Dignity Day, to advocate that everyone have the right to a dignified life-and I challenge the NBA to join most of the humanity loving world to participate in Global Dignity Day. Read more about it HERE…amazing organization whose honorary board members include: President Martti Ahtisaari (Former President of Finland, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, United Nations diplomat and mediator); Sir Richard Branson, Professor Amartya Sen (Nobel Price laureate in Economic Sciences, Professor of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard University), Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Andrew Young (Former Congressman and United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Activist in the Civil Rights Movement)
To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others ~ Buddha
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Darfur United Soccer Team: A Refugee Soccer Team’s Journey: On and Off the Field
Darfur United Soccer Team: A Refugee Soccer Team’s Journey: On and Off the Field
WHO? Darfur United.
WHAT? Build a Darfur soccer team of the best players from the twelve refugee camps in eastern Chad to participate in an international tournament.
WHY? Share the story of building the team to raise awareness and educate people about the situation in Darfur and the refugee experience. Facilitate ongoing support for education, sports, nutrition, and other services through relationships between refugees and global citizens.
In Darfur, Soccer is THE Game from iActivism on Vimeo.
Darfur United – This project will be a “living documentary,” as we share every step of the journey. The story will be told, day to day, through the Darfur United website, Facebook, Twitter, and on Indiegogo. We will then produce a documentary film of the entire journey.
Darfur United – a soccer team composed of the best players from the Darfuri refugee camps in eastern Chad – will give Darfuris an opportunity they have never had: a chance to cheer for their own. Check it all out at i-ACT: A global team dedicated to putting a face on the numbers of dead, dying, and displaced while creating mutually enriching relationships between those in danger and those willing and able to act, fostering a new culture of participation…the i-ACT Team has been traveling to the Darfuri refugee camps in Eastern Chad since 2005.
Please check em out if you love soccer, kids, hope and inspiration…for a small donation you can help build the real “dream team.”
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Marta Visits Sierra Leone to Empower Women
Marta Visits Sierra Leone to Empower Women
Her real name is Marta Vieira da Silva- you know, the Brazilian soccer star better known as Marta, the world’s top female player currently using her celebrity status to help empower women in Sierra Leone in her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme? Yea, that Marta.
“We all need to contribute to help defeat poverty,” said Marta, five-time winner of the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year title. “UNDP works around the world making a positive difference in people’s lives, and I am proud to add my personal commitment to its work.”
Marta was appointment as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador last year and has just taken her first trip to Africa where she visited Sierra Leone to promote local efforts that empower women, one of the eight internationally-agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which seek to end extreme poverty by 2015.
Marta was appointed a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador in October 2010 to promote the MDGs, with a special emphasis on the gender dimension of poverty. She is part of an elite group of UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, which includes soccer stars Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Iker Casillas and Didier Drogba, Japanese actress Misako Konno, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway, Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova and Spanish actor Antonio Banderas.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established at the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. The eight MDGs aim to eradicate or reduce poverty, hunger, child mortality and disease, and to promote education, maternal health, gender equality, environmental sustainability and global partnerships. The target date for achieving the MDGs is 2015. Sport has been recognized as a viable and practical tool to assist in the achievement of the MDGs. While sport does not have the capacity to tackle solely the MDGs, it can be very effective when part of a broad, holistic approach to addressing the MDGs.
Sport and Peace…it’s a beautiful thing.
As always, thanks for reading~
Samuel Eto’o: The Worlds Highest Paid Athlete VS Racism?
Samuel Eto’o: The Worlds Highest Paid Athlete VS Racism?
A lot of interest this week after soccer stud Samuel Eto’o left Inter Milan and signed a three-year deal with some random Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala, for an estimated $29M PER SEASON which could essentially make him the highest paid athlete in professional sports.
“This evening, Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o signed a personal three-year contract with Anzhi Makhachkala,” the club said in a statement issued after Eto’o completed a medical on Wednesday evening.
For more on the beautiful inner-drama of soccer transfers and fighting Russian billionaires, the Wall Street Journal breaks it down nicely for ya.
But we here at Athlebrities are wondering what he’s gonna do with all that cash? About four years ago, he established a foundation with the mission of delivering the less privileged from abject poverty and he recently visited a Sports study center in Gabon. It also seems a natural fit for Eto’o to possibly do something big to combat racism in soccer?
Over the years, Eto’o has been the subject of racist taunts by an opposing teams’ supporters, who’ve made monkey-like chants whenever he had possession of the ball. Referee’s have let it slide, claiming the behavior of the crowd is ‘normal’. At one point, Eto’o walked off the field and video captured him saying “No mas” (“No more”). Last year, as the racists again began chatting, they were drowned out by the rest of the stadium who chanted loudly enough to drown them out. A small step but progress none-the-less?
Due to ongoing racism, Eto’o stopped bringing family members to matches. “It is something that has affected me personally. I think players, leaders, and the media have to join forces so that no one feels looked down upon because of the color of their skin. At this moment in time I prefer my children don’t go to football matches. In the stands they have to listen to things that are difficult to explain to a child. It is better they aren’t exposed to it.”
And with that, Athlebrities would like to see Samuel Eto’o use some of the big money to establish a ‘No Mas’ campaign in efforts to stomp out racism in sports.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
A Message from David Beckham
A Message from David Beckham
“As a UNICEF Ambassador it is important for me to help keep the story of the Children’s Famine in East Africa in the headlines. The situation in Southern Somalia is worsening. One little boy or girl is dying from starvation every six minutes. Please share this with your friends because the more of us that share, the more lives we can save. Thank you.”
~David Beckham
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
David Beckham Visits Children’s Hospital
David Beckham Visits Children’s Hospital
Original Athlebrity, David Beckham is in NY to participate in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game….and yesterday, Sir Beckham took his golden-everything to a New York City Children’s Hospital and gently placed his hand on that little boys head…
Organized by the Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, Beckham’s visit with the kids was on behalf of the MLS community outreach initiative (M.S. Works) and afterward, the Hope & Heroes Children’s Fund received a $25K donation from MLS Works.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
A World Record Charity Goal by Soccer for Relief
A World Record Charity Goal by Soccer for Relief
“Football is the global game and it seemed a good idea to get so many people involved in something that so many feel passionately about. It was the first thing that I thought of.” –Imran Khan
Right now a group of guys are playing soccer in an attempt to break the world record for the longest soccer game played, aiming for 72 hours of continuous play…proceeds to be donated to the British Red Cross. The organization is called Football Relief, the event was organized by Imran Kahn.
- This is not the first time though that the group of friends from Blackburn have exerted themselves for charity; last season they walked 37 miles from their hometown in England in time for Blackburn Rovers’ Premier League match in Blackpool, raising almost $10,000…After starting on Saturday, the two teams, named Mankind United and Heilen World XI, are set to break the record at midnight on Monday (GMT). One of the four referees, who have been alternating in shifts of four hours, will blow for full time around midday on Tuesday. (NY Times blog)
Updates on the game available on the Football Relief Twitter feed or Facebook.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
David Beckham Requests Our Help
David Beckham Requests Our Help
At Sir Beckham’s Request:
- “Hi guys, you may have read or seen the crisis in East Africa, the drought is the worst in 50 years and millions of children are at risk of starvation and disease. As an Ambassador for UNICEF and the father of four children, I’m asking for your help, anything you can give will help bring aid, thank you… David Beckham”
Over 12 million fans on Facebook…plenty of baby photos of adorable Harper-Seven and the flawless Victoria (obviously NOT the one posted below).
And for those in LA griping about ‘carmegeddon’, check yourselves, put it in perspective…children are dying because they don’t have water and you’re worried about traffic? Pa-leeze. Take the ten bucks you’re not spending on gas this weekend and donate it to save a life. Literally. Seriously.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Diego Maradona Needs To Be Sedated
Diego Maradona Needs To Be Sedated
“They can suck it now, they can suck it now, they can suck it now, they can suck it good!” Diego Maradona, classless coach of Argentina’s Soccer Studs
Nothing inspires, shocks, captivates and enthralls me as much as the World Cup. I love the face-painters, the passion, the non-injury riots, the fires, the last minute goals and the topless victory celebrations…and oh how I love to hate the furriest man to touch the sport, Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona.
On Wednesday, Argentina beat Uruguay; earning them qualification for the World Cup finals next year…after the game and during the post-match news conference, Maradona opened his once-institutionalized mouth and repeatedly told the press to “suck it.”
“Now they can suck it! Thank you, thank you to all Argentines, except for the journalists…They can suck it now, they can suck it now, they can suck it now, they can suck it good…Come on, come on Carlos! I told you I wanted you. They can suck it now! Come on, damn it…These ******* journalists, the bitch who gave birth to them…For the people, for the people…For the people. For those who didn’t believe, for those who never believed, they can suck it. and keep on sucking it. I am white or black, I’ll never be grey in my life.“
No Maradona, what you are is an idiot…a big grey idiot…this vulgar outburst, specifically where he targets my mama, has sunk this furry beast to a depth shared by very few egocentric assholes. His presence with the Argentinean team (in my opinion) mars the reputation of its country and its players.
Thankfully, FIFA’s disciplinary committee is opening a case against the Grey Idiot. “The reports we have received so far leave us no other alternative but to ask the disciplinary committee of FIFA to open a case against the coach Diego Armando Maradona,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Friday from the Under-20 World Cup. “As the president of FIFA it is my duty and my obligation to (refer) it to the disciplinary committee.”
In a perfect world, the disciplinary committee, in this case, would be comprised of Team Uruguay and a few female journalists.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Cristiano Ronaldo to Model Armani Underwear
Cristiano Ronaldo to Model Armani Underwear
The most expensive soccer player in history is about to give us the greatest gift since Beckham bared it and the Italian squad posed for D&G…Italian fashion designer Armani confirms that soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo will model underwear and jeans for the new spring 2010 campaign.
The Real Madrid hottie-formerly of Manchester United-also plays for Portugal’s national team…is, without question, the greatest soccer player ever.
I expect we’re going to see a whole lotta of what Ronaldo is um…packing, but what’s a good package without something beautiful inside…Ronaldo has a great history of charitable giving…he’s been an ambassador for the online Score for the Red Cross fundraising campaign which is a humanitarian project launched by UEFA and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)…stud also flew an 11-year-old tsunami survivor and his father to a World Cup qualifier before rallying other players to pitch in and buy them a new home…he’s auctioned off his personal sports gear to the tune of over 1 billion rupiah for tsunami relief efforts…and in March of this year, he donated £100,000 to the hospital that helped saved his mother’s life after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007…this is just a partial list of his love, and in my book, its good enough to qualify him for a semi-nude Armani campaign. Bring it on Cristiano!
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
David Beckham Does Not Disappoint Me
David Beckham Does Not Disappoint Me
“I’m not disappointed. It doesn’t affect me…you can’t be liked by everyone.” David Beckham
Why do people love to hate? That was my first thought this morning as I read about David Beckham’s return to the Galaxy and their friendly against AC Milan this weekend (which ended in a 2-2 draw)…during Beckham’s big come-back, he was booed and confronted with asinine banners such as: ‘Go home fraud,’ ‘23: Repent,’ and ‘Is evil something u are…or something u do’…
I don’t have a problem with David Beckham for the simple reason that he is an institution. He is sold, marketed and packed to perfection is his skivvies as a product. He did what he was supposed to do-infuse life into US Soccer. That was his job-not to bend it as he did in his youth, but to use his marketability to sell the sport. I don’t give a hoot if Landon Donovan is pissed at Becks…I don’t care that Beckham missed half of the MLS season due to a five-month frolic with the Italians. He’s never been quiet about the fact that he’d prefer to kick it with AC Milan because the level of play IS better in Europe. So why is everyone hating on a guy who accepted mad amounts of cash to lend his Image to soccer? Didn’t we give him a hero’s welcome upon signing with the Galaxy? And now he’s gotta endure the wrath of fans who feel disappointed? What it boils down to for me, is how athletes act off the field and how they react to unruly fans. They can shoot and kill them like Columbian soccer player Javier Florez did, or they can react with class and dignity ala Beckham…
During halftime, Beckham confronted a fan that had been running his mouth about god-knows-what and apparently ‘crossed the line’…Beck’s motioned for said-asshole to come closer…the guy jumped down from the seats and was promptly arrested…but not before Beckham had words with him. “I said, `You need to calm down and come shake my hand.”
In this day and age of blind hero worship, I only ask that ‘fans’ take a look at the bigger picture. Is it really that much fun to make banners-of-hate and get psyched-up for the game because you get to flaunt your hatred towards someone you feel let you down? Was there anybody-even ONE person in the entire stadium thinking about how many nets Beckham has sold to save lives? Wouldn’t time be better spent making a massive Malaria No More banner thanking Beckham for his involvement with that campaign? And has everyone forgotten that Beckham taught soccer to children in Harlem or that in 2007 Beckham surprised a young girl dying of cancer with a phone call and signed jersey before she died 12 days later? I haven’t forgotten.
Beckham can best be summed up by his actions over the weekend. The impulse to shake an angry fans hand speaks volumes to the mans character, and for me, despite the enormous amount of weight placed on Beckham’s shoulders, he’s proven himself a gentlemen on and off the pitch. So please people, take your hatred elsewhere.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Grassroot Soccer
Grassroot Soccer
Soccer is much more than a sport…it’s a tool. A tool for teaching hope, love, peace, unity and education…it is THE Beautiful Game.
Tapping into the Beautiful Game’s unlimited potential is Grassroot Soccer…founded in 2002, the organization is using the power of soccer in the fight against AIDS in Africa with its HIV prevention program, effectively arming Africa’s youth with the knowledge, skills, and social support they need to live HIV-free…take a few minutes to watch this video, if it doesn’t move you, perhaps you have no soul.
Tommy Clark (M.D.) founded Grassroot Soccer after having played soccer professionally in Zimbabwe…he witnessed firsthand the devastation of HIV and the unmatched popularity of soccer…and just like that, an amazing thing happened…Clark rallied his like-minded friends with similar experiences-Cofounders Methembe Ndlovu, Ethan Zohn and Kirk Friedrich- and Grassroot Soccer was born…the studs went back to Zimbabwe in 2002 where they developed an interactive soccer-themed HIV prevention curriculum that was first implemented in Zimbabwe in 2003….the results were amazing, they found that the GrassRoot Soccer HIV/AIDS Education Program significantly improved student knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of social support related to HIV/AIDS…they also found that students used the knowledge they learned-and teachers were eager to see more ways to sustain the results while becoming more actively involved in the educational process.
Obviously, I’ve opted to run a post without naming a celebrity or celebrity athlete involved…but co-founder Ethan Zohn deserves some love…you may recognize his name if you’re a fan of ‘Survivor’ and have a massive crush on Jeff Probst like I do…but my love for Zohn stems from his passion for helping others…in May, Zohn was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma-he’s got an excellent chance of defeating it but in the meantime he’s using everything at his disposal to educate others about this disease. On the Grassroot website, he writes: “My compassion for those affected by a life-threatening disease has become more informed as I’ve been faced with this diagnosis. Now I know first-hand what it’s like to get this kind of news, and I can better relate to my friends in Africa faced with their own challenges…it has motivated me even more to help educate others…Cancer and HIV/AIDS are two diseases we have a lot more to learn about. But while we continue search for ways to prevent cancer, we already know what we can do to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.”
Please visit the Grassroot Soccer website for more info…I couldn’t possibly cover all the amazing things they are doing and have done for Africa’s youth…thank you Grassroot Soccer, for making it much, much more than just a sport.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
David Beckham & Zinedine Zidane Make Footprints
David Beckham & Zinedine Zidane Make Footprints
This weekend, there were a lot of happy kids in El Segundo California as two of the worlds most recognized and sexiest soccer athletes – David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane – helped kick off the ‘Footprint Fields Community Program’ at the Campus El Segundo Athletic Fields. “I’m really excited to be back, and it’s a pleasure for [Zinedine and I] to be here” said Beckham. “Facilities like this give kids a chance to have a safe place to play and will help to grow the game in this country.”
Beckham and Zidane were on hand to help launch ‘a new nationwide community initiative to inspire and enable an American soccer nation’…which in theory sounds great, but in reality? Not so sure…an American soccer nation? I don’t see it happening…if Becks couldn’t kick-start this nations soccer-libido when he came aboard the Galaxy ship, then I’m not quite sure how he and Zidane are going to infuse soul into this initiative…but Becks feels differently. “It’s all about growing the game in this country,” said Beckham. “Kids can come down to these facilities and enjoy themselves, and that sends American soccer in the right direction.”
Maybe the key IS to get Europe’s biggest soccer names and dangle them in front of the next generation…kids were going nuts as Beckham and Zidane stuck their feet into the concrete while announcing the Footprints Fields donation program-granted, the kids were more interested in getting the dirty towels used to clean our Hotties feet after implanting their soles in concrete, but who could blame them, I would have done the same thing-actually, I probably would have pushed a few kids outta the way to get one but that’s another post.
The Footprints Fields program is a collaborative effort by MLS W.O.R.K.S., FieldTurf and adidas to build new turf soccer fields in urban locations and communities all over the country. This year, the program will build fields in communities in New York City, Milwaukee, Seattle, Inglewood, Calif. and Vancouver. “The ‘Footprint Fields’ program is designed to encourage soccer players of all levels and backgrounds to pick up a ball and join 10 friends on the field to play the beautiful game of soccer,” said Patrik Nilsson, adidas America President. “From cleats and balls to uniforms and fields, providing the right equipment and infrastructure is an important way we can inspire and enable an American soccer nation.”
“It’s nice to see the U.S. taking a bigger role in soccer,” said Zidane. “It was good to see the national team do so well in the FIFA Confederations Cup and to beat the Spanish. It proves that soccer in the U.S. is rising to another level. It’s also great to see adidas take such a large role in helping to grow the sport of soccer in the United States…the importance of supporting youth soccer and growing the sport is my passion now that I’m retired from the professional level.”
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
US Soldiers & The Beautiful Game In Iraq
US Soldiers & The Beautiful Game In Iraq
There are no famous names in this post…no celebrities or smoking hot athletes like Melo, Rafa or our kitten to swoon over…but there are a few heroes and an amazing example of why we call soccer the ‘beautiful’ game.
US soldiers, paratroopers, and platoon sergeants took part in a humanitarian mission in eastern Baghdad, where they- along with civil affairs soldiers- handed out soccer equipment in support of FC Unity, a London-based organization working with Coalition and Iraqi officials in eastern Baghdad to provide the citizens of Iraq a platform for development and education through a series of soccer programs…
And enhancing the mission-US-Iraqi military teams were pitted against different local Iraqi soccer clubs all based in the eastern districts of Baghdad to play a few friendly matches…
God knows our boys need a break. After three US soldiers were killed yesterday in a road-side bomb, I can only hope the beautiful game gave our boys some much needed respite from the larger battle which they are part of.
So this holiday weekend, take a time-out and think about the meaning of Memorial Day. Raise your glass and toast those who have been killed in the line of duty…toast to those who are STILL there…and toast to the fact we have a global sport that can touch so many lives even in the time of war. While I may not support the war, I do support our troops and admire their sacrifice.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend kids…lets bring our troops home soon.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
David Beckham Taking Aim at Mosquito’s
David Beckham Taking Aim at Mosquito’s
The good peeps from Malaria No More have just launched Malaria No More UK…and in conjunction with the launch, they’ve named Sir Golden Balls- David Beckham, tennis beast Andy Murray and Olympic Gold Medallist Denise Lewis as members of the leadership council for the new campaign.
The trio have pledged their backing for this British extension of a US charity that aims to prevent millions of deaths worldwide…I don’t think I need to remind you that malaria is a preventable and treatable disease-killing one child every 30 seconds in Africa.
“When you think that malaria kills one child every 30 seconds and three times as many under-5s as HIV/Aids, there is a desperate need in increase our understanding and awareness of this disease,” said Sarah Kline, the charity’s executive director.
Beckham: “It’s truly incredible to think we can stop this killer disease forever and it’s such a simple thing to do. For less than the cost of a football you can protect a family from dying. I urge the UK public to get behind the Malaria No More UK campaign to save a life and make malaria no more.”
Murray chimed in: “This is the first global charity I’ve been involved with in this capacity and it was an easy decision. Malaria is completely preventable and stoppable but yet it still kills more children in Africa than any other single disease. We can radically change this, it is a huge opportunity and I’m urging the UK public to help save a life and get behind Malaria No More UK, a truly world-changing and life-saving initiative.”
You know what to do…visit MALARIA NO MORE UK, buy a net, and save a life- it’s as simple as that.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Ivory Coast World Cup Qualifier Ends With Deaths
Ivory Coast World Cup Qualifier Ends With Deaths
Note-there are some GRAPHIC images in this post. My apologies if it offends any of you. This non-charity related news item that begs our attention-or at least mine. As Didier Drogba and his Ivory Coast played their World Cup Qualifier, fans outside the stadium were being stampeded to death. Granted, this isn’t the first disaster to strike soccer fans, however, it is the first time that I can recall the media printing photos from the stampede- and it really brings it home. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who died while trying to enjoy a beautiful game of soccer.
The good news is that the Ivory Coast won their World Cup qualifier 5-0 against Malawi on Sunday, but the bad news is that 19 people were killed when fans tried to push their way into the stadium.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter offered his condolences and also demanded a full investigation. “I wish to express extreme sorrow and extend our condolences to the Ivorian football community and, most importantly, to family, friends and loved ones following the tragic deaths in Abidjan,” Blatter said in a statement.
The stampede took place at the Houphouet Boigny stadium in Abidjan on March 30. At least 19 people were killed-including children-and more than 130 were badly hurt when hundreds of fans tried to force their way into the stadium during the game.
The cause of the crowd-swell is still under investigation. Government officials are looking into accusations it was caused by non-ticket holders who had bribed their way through security. Some fans are blaming the police, claiming they fired tear gas into the crowd creating panic among those who had nowhere to run.
“We saw people falling from the top bleachers,” said Diarassouba Adama, who was inside the stadium. “The stampede was provoked by the security forces who threw tear gas canisters at us. I don’t know why they fired on us.” Others agree: “My brother left to go to the stadium with his friends. At the entrance, they were attacked by security forces. That’s what set off the stampede,” Momodou Kamara said after identifying the body of his brother.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Europes Hottest Soccer Players Coming to U.S.
Chelsea is Coming! AC Milan is Coming! Inter Milan is Coming!
Team Chelsea, one of the sexiest squads in Euro soccer, is coming to the States for the fifth time in six years-this time, as part of the inaugural World Football Challenge.
And it’s not just news about Chelsea making me squeal, its news that the tournement will host four international squads…Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Club America. The round-robin style tournament will make stops in Palo Alto, Pasadena, my house, Atlanta, Baltimore, Massachusetts, and Texas…with Chelsea playing a friendly on July 18 versus the Seattle Sounders at Quest Field.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon spoke about the teams fan base here in the U.S.: “Coming here regularly has definitely helped us so far. Our fan base over here has more than doubled in the last three years and we are seeing a genuine interest in our team, our club and our brand from people in this part of the world.”
Indeed. It’s not difficult to take a genuine interest when Chelsea’s roster of hot babes include: Captain John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Deco, Joe Cole, and Salomon Kalou and others…and giving me reason to learn Italian, from Inter we’ve got: Luis Figo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Materazzi and AC Milan babes in serious danger of a chance meeting with me: Ricardo Kaka, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Filippo Inzaghi, Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, and Gianluca Zambrotta to name just a few.
The World Football Challenge begins July 19 where this crazy redheaded blogger will stalk Inter Milan as they take on Club at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif. My next stop will be on July 21 when Chelsea battle Inter Milan at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where you’ll likely find me trying to get into both locker rooms. Once the hotties have escaped California, the tour continues: July 22: AC Milan vs. Club America at Georgia Dome in Atlanta; July 24: AC Milan vs. Chelsea at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore-where I expect Angela to do me proud; July 26: Inter Milan vs. AC Milan at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass.; July 26: Chelsea vs. Club America at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
If you just can’t wait until July to see the hottest soccer players alive, remember, you can catch most of them-and then some- in New York on June 14 for the ‘All Stars for Hope’ celebrity soccer game. This one of the biggest and best events for charity this summer…hope to see you all there!
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com