AMISOM and One World Futbol join hands to promote peace in Somalia through football

17 Aug 2014

AMISOM and One World Futbol join hands to promote peace in Somalia through football

PRESS RELEASE

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA – August 17, 2014: The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) today handed over 4,500 indestructible footballs to the Federal Government of Somalia for on-ward transmission to children and youth groups throughout the country to teach them life skills and promote peace.

The footballs were recently donated to AMISOM by One World Futbol Project through the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA).

Speaking at the handover of the footballs to the Federal Government of Somalia, the Acting Head of AMISOM, Honourable Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, said African Union recognised sport as one of the key pillars of social transformation and development.

Hon. Wanyoto said the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Football Association would distribute the footballs to schools, youth groups and disadvantaged groups across the country to promote peace, education, human rights, equality and social inclusion, and to improve health.

”Football games, at community, national and global level have long been idealized as a way to heal wounds, mend fences, and rise above differences among cultures, religions and nations. Soccer is often viewed as so transcendent of politics and prejudice that even nations embroiled in war lay down their arms and come together to cheer on their teams. And this can be true in Somalia,” she said.

Director of United Nation Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) Amadu Kamara said that the football donations provided the Government, UNSOA and AMISOM to work together with tangible results in trying to provide entertainment for the much neglected youth of Somalia.

Representing the Federal Government of Somalia, The Minister of Youth and Sports Khalid Omar Ali said that the Federal Government of Somalia supported by AMISOM and UNSOA would use soccer as a vehicle for uniting the country at all levels and for promoting development.

Sandra Cress, the Director of One World Futbol Project in Africa said the organisation distributes the nearly indestructible footballs to disadvantaged communities, where soccer can be used to teach life skills and foster social change.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

About AMISOM:

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is an active, regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations. It was created by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on 19th January 2007.

AMISOM is mandated to conduct Peace Support Operations in Somalia to stabilize the situation in the country in order to create conditions for the conduct of Humanitarian activities and an immediate take over by the United Nations (UN).

About One World Futbol Project

One World Futbol Project brings the healing power of play to youth worldwide by making, selling and distributing the One World Futbol, a nearly indestructible ball that never needs a pump, never goes flat, and is designed to survive the harshest environments. Collaborating with sponsors, organizations and individuals, One World Futbol Project delivers balls to disadvantaged communities where play and sport are used to foster social change.

In May 2012, Chevrolet became the founding sponsor of One World Futbol Project, pledging to support the donation and distribution of at least 1.5 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols worldwide over three years. The balls will be used in programs that provide education, teach essential life skills and encourage conflict resolution to youth living in disadvantaged areas.

To date, the One World Futbol has reached more than 170 countries through One World Futbol Project’s growing global network of organizations, bringing the healing power of play to an estimated 30 million youth worldwide.

For more information about One World Futbol Project, visit oneworldfutbol.com. Follow One World Futbol on Facebook and on Instagram.