Manchester United celebrates partnership with UNICEF to end child exploitation
Surrounded by aspiring young soccer stars, players from football powerhouse Manchester United led a clinic today at United Nations Headquarters in New York to celebrate its partnership with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to end child exploitation.
Surrounded by aspiring young soccer stars, players from football powerhouse Manchester United led a clinic today at United Nations Headquarters in New York to celebrate its partnership with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to end child exploitation.
In a message to the event, delivered by wife Nane, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that football was a life-affirming sport, able to give boys and girls a chance to play and use their talents to the fullest.
“It is good for one’s health and self-esteem. It can draw young people away from the dangers of drugs and crime,” he said. And, “for children growing up in the shadow of war, it can help them overcome the traumas they have suffered, and provide some coaching to those deprived of a parent’s guiding hand.”
Since 1999, the Manchester side has raised more that 1 million British pounds to support UNICEF programmes around the globe. “Football plays a crucial role in supporting and protecting children around the world and we are delighted that Manchester United, through the United for UNICEF partnership, are such enthusiastic supporters in our goal to end child exploitation,” the agency’s Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, said in a statement.
Joining players from the Brooklyn Patriots and Manhattan Spirit soccer teams at the event were Sir Alex Ferguson, Manager and UNICEF Special Representative for the United Kingdom, players Roy Carroll, Quinton Fortune, Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and football legend George Weah, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.