| Soccer Aid | | | | The Play Soccer program launched by the United |
| May 2006 saw soccer legend Diego Maradona | | | | Nations Children's Fund engages children through |
| participate in Soccer Aid, a charity match that raised | | | | community based soccer activities and educates |
| money for children supported by UNICEF. Maradona | | | | them about health and social issues. With a focus on |
| once again took centre stage as Argentina's captain | | | | the girl child, it has already mobilized communities in |
| in his famous number 10 soccer shirt. 72,000 | | | | Ghana, Zambia, Senegal, Cameroon, Malawi and South |
| spectators gathered at Manchester to watch England | | | | Africa. Recognizing the power of soccer as a great |
| play against the Rest of the World. The home side | | | | leveler, Play Soccer collects funds from various |
| comprised of British celebrities like singer Robbie | | | | organizations including FIFA to procure basic soccer |
| Williams and veterans who once played for England's | | | | equipment to kick start the program. It has already |
| team such as Paul Gascoigne. Maradona had Brazil's | | | | managed to touch the lives of 10,000 children... |
| Dunga, Germany's Matthaus and France's Desailly on | | | | Goals for Girls! |
| his team along with the former sprinter Ben Johnson | | | | During the 2007 World Cup, UNICEF and FIFA once |
| and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. England won 2:1 | | | | again got together in support of women's |
| against the Rest of the World in an exciting match | | | | empowerment. This joint campaign used the world's |
| that raised £6 million for the world's children. | | | | most popular sport to promote gender equality, |
| | | | education and awareness vis-à-vis female |
| FC Barcelona is one of the few teams to consistently | | | | rights. Using the child friendly school model, it offered |
| refuse a sponsor. But for the first time in their 107 | | | | both genders quality education in a safe environment. |
| year history, they wore a UNICEF logo on their | | | | Considering soccer reaches 1 billion people during the |
| football jerseys in support of a children's' charity. | | | | World Cup cutting across gender, economic and social |
| Barca has pledged 1.5 million euros every year for | | | | barriers, it conveys a universal message of hope and |
| five years to help poor children with AIDS in | | | | togetherness. For nothing can unite the world more |
| developing countries. The first year's installment has | | | | than a little black and white football played by millions |
| gone towards AIDS programs in Swaziland where as | | | | and watched by billions... It creates bonds of trust |
| many as 40% of adults are infected with the HIV | | | | and friendship; it drives people to be the best they |
| virus that leads to full blown AIDS if not treated on | | | | can be; and being the best one can be is all about |
| time. | | | | being humane and reaching out one's hand... |
| Play Soccer | | | | |