Sydney FC join Barca and Man U for UNICEF

Sydney FC has joined global football giants Barcelona and Manchester United in a partnership with UNICEF. The Sky Blues are set to work alongside UNICEF Australia to help improve child rights in the ever-expanding Asia Pacific Region.
UNICEF is committed to improving child rights all over the world, striving to lower the number of child deaths from preventable diseases from 21,000 a day to zero.
The partnership will kick off this weekend when Sydney FC takes on Wellington Phoenix with UNICEF monthly givers admitted free of charge as a thank you for the work they do in supporting the rights of children and young people all over the world.
Sydney FC has also offered a ticket deal to ALL holders of a foreign passport, who will be able to purchase two tickets for $10 if they take their passport into any Ticketek outlet leading into Saturday night’s clash with Wellington Phoenix at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Sydney FC Members will be given two tickets to Saturday night’s game as a reward for their loyal support throughout the 2011/12 season and to celebrate the UNICEF partnership.
Sydney FC midfielder Brett Emerton will also join the likes of Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry and Dwight Yorke as a UNICEF Ambassador.
UNICEF is the world’s most recognised charity organisation and Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton said the Sky Blues were proud to partner with an organisation globally recognised for its ability to bring about social change.
“UNICEF is the world’s largest international children’s organisation and Sydney FC is honoured to be partnering with UNICEF to help improve the human rights and health of children all over the Asia Pacific region,” said Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton.
“UNICEF is the sixth Community Partnership undertaken by Sydney FC and, like all of our partnerships, we are committed to making a difference. This allows us to join UNICEF in projects not only within Australia but use football’s global reach to help children across the Asia Pacific region.”
“UNICEF recognises the critical role that sport plays in children’s lives. It is vital to their health, happiness and well-being. This partnership with Sydney FC will galvanise what is set to be a significant year for UNICEF and sport in Australia, fostering The World Game to bring about positive change in communities,” said Chief Executive of UNICEF Australia, Norman Gillespie.
“Nelson Mandela said that ‘Sport has the power to change the world’ and Sydney FC’s partnership with UNICEF reflects how we are using sport to bring people and communities together around the globe.”
Clovelly mum and UNICEF Global Parent, Ann Reich said: “My seven-year-old son is a mad football player and will be so thrilled that UNICEF, which is on his Barcelona Messi kit, now has a partnership with Sydney FC!”

**From Football Federation Australia

Hoy en Madrid partido benéfico por Africa

Hoy martes( 20´00 h) en el estadio Santiago Bernabeu de Madrid se jugará un partido benéfico por Africa. El denominado "Champions por Africa" en una iniciativa solidaria promovida por la UNICEF en colaboración con la Fundación Kanoute. Se enfrentará una selección de la Liga BBVA española, dirigida por el ex seleccionador Javier Clemente, donde estarán hasta 38 jugadores, contra una selección de jugadores africanos con otros tantos efectivos bajo la batuta del también ex seleccionador nacional Luis Aragonés.

Con precios muy baratos se quiere obtener una gran recaudación para distintos programas de ayudas a niños en el continente africano. En esta solidaria acción estarán futbolistas de la talla de Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas, Arbeloa, Mata, Marcelo, Albiol, Jesús Navas, Celestini, Joaquin, Albelda, Negredo, David Villa, Soldado, Alberto Luque, Portillo, Palop, Asenjo, Lauren, Assou Ekoto, Vieira, Emana, Mahmadou Diarra, Kanoute, Benachour, Yaya Toure, Webo, etc.

El 22 en Madrid la II edición de la "Champions por Africa"

El día 22 se disputará en el estadio Santiago Bernabeu de Madrid el partido benéfico "Champions por Africa", en su segunda edición. Se trata de una idea organizada por la UNICEF, con la colaboración de la Fundación Kanoute, la Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional y el patrocinio del BBVA. El partido será un choque entre una selección de jugadores africanos, encabezados por el delantero Frederic Kanoute( Sevilla), y otra de jugadores de la Liga española. El lema de la cita será "Este partido es a vida o muerte", con el objetivo de recaudar fondos para ayudar a los niños africanos. En España será televisado en directo por el canal La Sexta. Se han fijado precios populares para llenar el estadio madridista y conseguir una buena taquilla en fechas navideñas y con el descanso de la Liga española. En la fotografía se ve un momento del acto de presentación celebrado en Madrid.