In these handout photos released by the English Football Association, England soccer player David Beckham plays soccer with a group of children involved with the ‘Coaching For Hope’ project at Ikhusi Primary School near Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.
more images and info on the “Coaches for Hope” project after the jump…
Beckham said in a press release: “It is amazing to visit a project like this and see the effect football has on young people. Football has the power to change lives and these youngsters are able to learn valuable lessons through their love of the game.
“I feel privileged to have met these children and despite the fact we come from different backgrounds we share a love for the game of football.”
England’s David Beckham (C), England’s World Cup 2018 bid ambassador Lucas Radebe (R) and England’s Football Association Chairman David Triesman (L) meet children and volunteers from the “Coaching For Hope” project
CfH not only teaches football skills, but also promotes social awareness for issues such as AIDS and substance abuse. Access to sport
“Aids is a very real problem in places like Khaylitsha and football must ensure it does whatever it can to help educate young people of its dangers and make a difference,” Beckham concluded.
David Triesman, the FA chairman, added: “It has been inspiring visiting this Coaching for Hope session. Watching the boundless energy and promise of these young people has been an amazing experience.
“Football has a power to inspire change. I am in awe of the coaches here who have the ability to make a difference to the future of these children. “Schemes such as Coaching for Hope make me proud of the work of The FA’s International Development Programme. It is a fantastic example of a project using the universal language of football to help promote positive change in people’s lives.”
source, images via daylife/EFA
