INSPIRATIONAL!
Hope Rises for South African Kids on Football…Chevrolet Rebuilds Football Pitch
*Revitalizes Pry School, Empower Girls Soccer
*Man U Legend, Gary Bailey joins Celebs to deliver 1 millionth One World Futbol
*Quote: “To inspire children and demonstrate that through play all things are possible”
BY NANCY CLEM/SPORT REPORTER, JO’BURG, SOUTH AFRICA
THERE is excitement in the air in Madiba’s country, South Africa as Chevrolet in conjunction with Manchester United has concluded plans to herald a remarkable ‘Chevrolet Football Pitch in South Africa to Inspire Children through Play.’ Aim of this historic project is to encourage the boys to play football and inspire the girl-child by empowering her to study harder as she enjoys the game of football in her leisure.
Naija Standard gathered that ‘Revitalization of primary school pitch will inspire and empower schoolgirls since Manchester United legend Gary Bailey will be joining local dignitaries for ceremony and matches. This event includes delivery of the 1 millionth One World Futbol donated by Chevrolet
AIM OF PROJECT
According to a press statement sent to editorial crew of Naija Standard, one of the major aims of this ceremony are: “To inspire children and demonstrate that through play all things are possible, Chevrolet revealed a completely revitalized football pitch for the Mabu-a-tlou Primary School in the village of Hammanskraal in South Africa few weekends ago.
“Named Mabu-a-tlou Lebala la Mestshamkeo (“Mabu-a-tlou Playground”), Chevrolet renovated the pitch in collaboration with The Dreamfields Project, the non-government organization (NGO) that provides resources for playing football in township and rural schools across South Africa. The pitch renovation is part of Chevrolet’s “What Do You #PlayFor?” global campaign.
“The new pitch will enable greater participation in football for the Hammanskraal Girls Soccer program and surrounding community, fostering female empowerment and greater self-respect and self-esteem.”
Tim Hendon, Chevrolet Brand Manager, South Africa said: “We identified the project in Hammanskraal a while ago as we realized there was a real need for football facilities in this area.
He added that it helps to mould young minds, taking attention away from harmful influences and redirecting energy to more productive places. Together, in partnership, we can move the goal posts and bring dreams to life. All it takes is dedication, determination, an unrelenting passion and a love for the game. Sport can really change lives.”
So interesting that local dignitaries, representatives from Mabu-a-tlou and dozens of schoolgirls joined Chevrolet executives in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a series of football “friendlies” to help 10- and 11-year-old girls from a variety of backgrounds in the school district learn about self-esteem and friendship through play.
For the records, Manchester United legend Gary Bailey, who grew up in South Africa and started his football career at Wits University in Johannesburg, participated in the celebration.
CHEVROLET PROJECTS
Mabu-a-tlou Lebala la Mestshamkeo is Chevrolet’s third pitch project this year. In April, Chevrolet revitalized a pitch in Bandung, Indonesia, on behalf of a local organization that uses football to increase the quality of life for people living with HIV and drug addiction. In June, Chevrolet donated a pop-up soccer pitch in Chicago (USA) to help a youth and community development organization transform a neighborhood associated with gang culture into a place where children could play and learn valuable life skills.
In addition to the pitch revitalization, Chevrolet, in partnership with One World Futbol Project, reached a global milestone today in Hammanskraal with delivery of its 1 millionth One World Futbol.
Since Chevrolet became the founding sponsor in 2012, One World Futbol Project has delivered Chevrolet-branded One World Futbol to more than 60 countries and has brought play to more than 30 million youth in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe, including close to 200,000 balls in Sub-Saharan Africa. Chevrolet committed to support the donation and distribution of 1.5 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbol over three years.
The nearly-indestructible One World Futbol represents a breakthrough in technology for a recreational, multi-sport ball. The ultra-durable One World Futbol ball never needs a pump and never goes flat, even when punctured multiple times, and will last for years in even the harshest play environments.
Tim Jahnigen, founder/chief innovation officer, One World Futbol Project, who with co-founder Lisa Tarver attended the ceremony stated that “For the young girls here in Hammanskraal and for youth living in challenging environments around the world, being able to play with a football offers an outlet for joy and hope-to dream of a better future. Play is in our DNA. We believe that play is a necessity of life-children need to play to learn and grow. Together with our founding sponsor Chevrolet, we envision a world where every child will have an opportunity to play. The revitalization of this pitch and the delivery of the 1 millionth One World Futbol further our collective goal to bring the transformative power of play to children worldwide.”
ABOUT CHEVROLET
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality.
ABOUT DREAMFIELDS PROJECT
“The Dreamfields Project, founded in 2007, grows the dreams of young South Africans through soccer. We do this by providing Dream Bags of equipment, upgrading fields and organizing Dream Leagues where children play the game they love week in and out.
We believe you get better schools through sports. And the lessons children learn playing in teams – discipline, patience, and teamwork – will live on in their lives as adults. Visit us at www.dreamfieldsproject.org. We Grow Dreams.”
ABOUT ONE WORLD FUTBOL PROJECT
“Since 2010, One World Futbol Project has brought the transformative power of play to youth by making, selling and distributing the One World Futbol, the world’s first nearly indestructible soccer ball that never needs a pump and never goes flat-even when punctured. Collaborating with corporate sponsors, partners, organizations and consumers worldwide, One World Futbol Project distributes One World Futbol to disadvantaged communities, where play can be used to teach life skills and foster social change. Headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., One World Futbol Project is an award-winning B Corporation and also has a distribution center in Voerde, Germany. To date, the One World Futbol has reached more than 170 countries through our growing global network of organizations. For more information about One World Futbol Project, visit oneworldfutbol.com. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram.”
ABOUT MANCHESTER UNITED
“Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through our 136-year heritage we have won 62 trophies, enabling us to develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and match day.”
