Drogba Goes RED with Bono and Nike

“With (RED) we need to speak very loudly for people to hear.” Didier Drogba

As preparations for the World Cup in South Africa are underway, I can barely sit still in anticipation of all the face painted-costumed-goal-frenzied-fans and hot soccer players set to take over the region. And I am thrilled that the World outside of Euro soccer fans are finally getting a chance to see why I love me some Didier Drogba…

The temperamental Chelsea striker might be a bit dramatic on the pitch at times, but it’s his off-field drama that has me screaming goal…especially after scoring a double whammy against Arsenal while wearing his new RED laces. “I was wearing the new laces at the weekend,” said my Drogba, “I scored, not because of them, but the thing is I wear them because I want to defend something really important to me. Something really important to my country.”

That’s right…a partnership seemingly born straight from my libido…Drogba and Bono, Product RED and Nike. Other Premier League hotties such as Joe Cole, have also agreed to join the “Lace-Up Save Lives” campaign where all proceeds from the Red laces going to battle Aids in Africa.

More from the sexiest man to emerge form the Ivory Coast: “I want people to understand why I am wearing these laces. That is something more important, maybe even more important than scoring two goals. Of course the two goals are special to me…But more special to me is that it gives me the ability to show the laces and explain to people about the situation in Africa.”

“I think a lot of players are doing good things,” said Drogba, “But maybe individually, behind closed doors. Maybe you don’t know it because they don’t want to say. With (RED) we need to speak very loudly for people to hear. That is why Bono is here. When he speaks, people listen.”

And this girl can hear a pin drop…

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

World Cup Countdown

Children on the outskirts of Cape Town (South Africa) held a soccer clinic with players of the Ajax Cape Town soccer team over the weekend to celebrate the fact that we only have 200 days to go before the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup…

And if I’m not mistaken, I’ve worked 200 days straight and will be taking a vacation…but not before I say thank you to the Galaxy for an amazing effort last night…be good kids, I’ll be back soon.

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

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