International humanitarian organisation Right To Play, the Adi Dassler Fund and Zinedine Zidane have joined forces to raise awareness of sport as a tool for addressing development issues around the world such as the lack of basic education and health information and the impact of conflict.
The Adi Dassler Fund, a non-profit organisation that receives its funding from adidas, has signed a four-year commitment to Right To Play and has asked Zidane to front the initiative around the globe. The former France and Real Madrid star, who retired from international competition last year, is devoting much of his time now to working with children.
“We are thrilled about this new partnership with adidas and their commitment to supporting our programmes that use sport and play to improve health, build life skills and foster peace for children and communities affected by war, poverty and disease,” says Johann Olav Koss, President and CEO of Right To Play.
“Sport for development is still a relatively new area in terms of global recognition, with adidas and Zidane on board we will encourage people everywhere to join this important movement.”
Replica mini red balls – the Right To Play logo – are on sale at adidas stores worldwide, with all the proceeds going to Right To Play programmes. They’re also available to purchase on adidas.com and RightToPlay.com
The Adi Dassler Fund will also provide 100,000 full-size red balls for use in the more than 20 countries where Right To Play runs programmes. In addition, Zidane will travel to one of these countries over the course of the next year to participate in Right To Play programmes and lend his voice to the movement.
“I know first-hand the positive impact sport can have on your life and the skills and values sport can teach, like leadership, teamwork, confidence and perseverance, says Zidane.
“Together with Right To Play and the Adi Dassler Fund, I hope to have the opportunity to share my love of sports with children around the world and to help them grow and learn through the power of sport and play.”
