HOPE ALIVE: SPECIAL EXPERIENCE WITH MANCHESTER UNITED!
Chevrolet Hosts Children from SA, Other Countries @ Old Trafford…South African kids to serve as Mascots for Man United First Premier League Match
*Program: ‘They are to attend Club’s Soccer School, Receive Tour, and Meet Team Members/Club Legends*Chevrolet offers fresh soccer breather to People living with HIV/Drug Addiction in Bandung, Indonesia
BY LAUREATE SIMON/SPORTS WRITER, JO’BURG, SOUTH AFRICA
FOR the two fortunate South African children- Mfanelo Mabale and Nokuthula Nkabinde of Johannesburg, South Africa and nine other kids from countries as Brazil, China, South Korea and United States to tour Old Trafford in England, United Kingdom, it is a dream comes through. Inspiring children from Johannesburg will serve as mascots for Manchester United’s first Premier League match of the season, attend club’s soccer school, receive tour of Old Trafford and meet members of first team and club legends Nine other mascots are from Brazil, China, South Korea and the United States.
Similar announcement was made in Detroit; United States by Chevrolet that they are hosting 11 children from around the world to serve as mascots for Manchester United’s Premier League season-opener at Old Trafford. Mfanelo and Nokuthula – along with children ages 10-13 from Brazil, China, South Korea and the United States, among other countries – were selected to be part of Chevrolet’s “What Do You #Play For?” campaign to bring football fans closer to their beloved sport and spread the power of play around the world.
In a statement made by Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer, Global Chevrolet, Naija Standard observed the firm’s determination which reads: “Enabling these children to live the dream of being on the Old Trafford pitch with the Manchester United first team is an unprecedented and dramatic way to celebrate our global partnership with the club and usher in a Chevrolet opening match tradition. Watching them walk onto the pitch is sure to inspire football fans everywhere, and certainly will be special for their families and friends, as well as everyone at Chevrolet and Manchester United.” In addition to serving as mascots, Mfanelo, Nokuthula and nine other children will attend Manchester United’s famed Soccer School, meet club players and legends, receive a tour of the Club’s iconic Old Trafford stadium, and more.
Further Manchester United Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said: “We are delighted to welcome such a diverse line up of mascots to Old Trafford. This is the first time our mascots have travelled from such a wide range of countries and the occasion truly demonstrates the Club’s global fan base and worldwide appeal. It is rare for 11 mascots to lead out the team and their inclusion shows both Manchester United and Chevrolet’s desire to mark this very special day.” The children were selected to serve as mascots due in part to their love of the game, determination to overcome a variety of challenges, and use play to realize anything is possible.
The opportunity to be a mascot is part of Chevrolet’s “What Do You #Play For?” campaign to bring football fans closer to the sport and spread the power of play around the world. Each child’s story is featured at www.ChevroletFC.com. Since announcing its partnership with Manchester United in 2012, Chevrolet has tapped into the scale and passion of football to spread the power of play worldwide, including donating nearly 1 million nearly indestructible balls from One World Futbol Project for use by more than 26 million youth in 60-plus countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Chevrolet also recently revitalized a pitch in Bandung, Indonesia, on behalf of a local organization that uses soccer to increase the quality of life for people living with HIV and drug addiction, and Chevrolet donated a pop-up pitch and pickup truck and trailer to help transform gang-laden streets in Chicago into a place where children can play and learn valuable life skills. Manchester United legends attended both events to work with coaches and kids on a variety of soccer skills and techniques. To celebrate its new, seven-year Manchester United shirt sponsorship, Chevrolet is inviting fans around the world to upload photos of themselves wearing a digital version of the new shirt at www.ChevroletFC.com. Chevrolet also recently released a video on www.ChevroletFC.com featuring Manchester United players, legends and fans paying homage to the history of the club’s shirts that has attracted more than 10 million views.
