BuaNews (Tshwane)
29 September 2008
Johannesburg — Forming part of South Africa's aim to reach out and involve as many people in the 2010 FIFA World Cup as possible, the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) recently launched the school campaign, "Adopt a Nation".
"One of the most important aspects of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is to involve and integrate the entire population from every corner of the country.
"With this in mind the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising LOC kicked off, in partnership with the national Departments of Education and Sport and Recreation, the special school campaign 'Adopt a Nation', targeting over 12 million scholars from over 30 000 schools throughout the country," said the LOC.
LOC Chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza, speaking at the launch of the programme, highlighted that it was the LOC's intention to make the global tournament appeal to everyone in the country.
"Our aim is to make this global event, located here in South Africa, appeal to every province and city across the country and the continent.
"Schools have been identified as a primary vehicle to get the 2010 FIFA World Cup messages not only to children, but families and communities in South Africa and the African continent.
"Our schools have a vital role to whet the appetite for the world's showcase football events - next year's FIFA Confederations Cup and the first African FIFA World Cup in 2010 - and we want every pupil in this country to be part of these historic events," said Dr Khoza.
The campaign is part of the 'My 2010 School Adventure' project, focusing on three key pillars; education, development (sports skills and coaching) and participation in regional and nationwide schools football tournaments.
In the first phase, the pupils and teachers will as part of their school curriculum, learn more about the teams participating at next year's FIFA Confederations Cup and build relationships with schools in the countries who have qualified.
Schools have already been playing in provincial schools tournaments and the winning teams from all provinces will play in the schools Confederations Cup finals in March next year - standing a chance to win tickets to the tournament.
The FIFA Confederations Cup, held from 14 to 28 June 2009, also known as the "Festival of Champions", features the current champions of the six FIFA Confederations, reigning world champions and next FIFA World Cup hosts, namely Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, United States and hosts South Africa.
work on creative elements such as essays, poetry, art projects, music and dance performances relating to the FIFA Confederations Cup, with the winning submissions also standing a chance to win tickets for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Another aspect of the programme is that thousands of teachers will also be given specialised coaching courses in an effort to improve the standard of schools football.
"It is of major importance for our scholars - the future of our nation - to learn about the cultures and history of other countries, and what better way than to include them through a progressive programme such as 'Adopt A Nation' which will empower our young academics with knowledge that will stand them in good stead in years to come," said Education Minister Naledi Pandor.
Ambassadors and representatives from the eight FIFA Confederations Cup nations joined in the launch festivities, at which South Africa's nine provinces symbolically 'adopted' each one of the eight participants, as well as the African Union (AU) in a random draw.
Zakumi, the Official Mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, who quickly gained popularity after his worldwide debut last week, was also on hand to entertain hundreds of school pupils at the launch event.
"The 'Adopt a Nation' programme is a venture that will revolutionise sport and education in South Africa ahead of world class football tournaments.
"We trust that pupil's aspirations on the sport and academic fronts will be taken to new heights as a result of their involvement in the programme", said Minister of Sport and Recreation Dr Makhenkesi Stofile.
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