Bid to educate via soccer

03 June 2009 - 02:00
By unknown

FIFA and the Local Organising Committee have appointed Grassroots Soccer to run the Football of Hope Centre in Khayelitsha.

FIFA and the Local Organising Committee have appointed Grassroots Soccer to run the Football of Hope Centre in Khayelitsha.

The centre is one of the 20 that will be built in Africa as part of the legacy projects for the 2010 World Cup. Five will be built in South Africa.

Grasssroots Soccer is a South African non-profit organisation using soccer to educate young people about HIV and Aids.

They will be working closely with Khayelitsha Development Forum.

A team of volunteers and Grassroots Soccer staff will be working at the centre.

Grassroots Soccer's James Donald said: "The centre will serve young girls and boys, offering services and programmes that address local social challenges in areas of health, education and football."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "This campaign emphasises the power of football far beyond the boundaries of the pitch."