FCB and UNICEF strengthen their partnership for children in four countries Brazil, China, Ghana and South Africa are benefiting through sport and education programmes | Latest News | News | Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF

HomeNewsLatest NewsFCB and UNICEF strengthen their partnership for children in four countries Brazil, China, Ghana and South Africa are benefiting through sport and education programmesBack

Main Content

FCB and UNICEF strengthen their partnership for children in four countries Brazil, China, Ghana and South Africa are benefiting through sport and education programmes

2012-05-10

BARCELONA/ HONG KONG, 10 May 2012 – In an event at the stadium of the legendary football team, Barcelona FC, the FC Barcelona Foundation and UNICEF today powered up their promise to improve the lives of millions of children through sport and education.

Anthony Lake, the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ramon Pont, Vice President of the FC Barcelona Foundation and Marc Bartra, FC Barcelona player met with 75 schoolchildren to discuss the importance of sport in children’s lives. They also answered students’ questions about UNICEF, children in other countries, football and about why is FCB partnering with UNICEF.

“FC Barcelona is highly committed to work with UNICEF to advance the global message of the importance of children’s issues and to promote education and sport,” said Ramon Pont, Vice President of the FC Barcelona Foundation.

UNICEF recognises the critical role of sport and physical play in children’s lives. Participation by young people in sport and play contributes to their physical development and can teach basic values and life skills, such as discipline, leadership, teamwork, fairness and respect for others. Sport and play can also help fight discrimination and the exclusion of marginalised groups, including children with disabilities.

“All UNICEF team is delighted with its partnership with FC Barcelona. Through this partnership UNICEF and FC Barcelona are committed to provide millions of children the opportunity to receive an education and experience the happiness of sports, and learn positive values through physical education, sport and play,” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, in his first visit to FCB headquarters.


Participation by young people in sport and play contributes to their physical development and can teach basic values and life skills.	Sport and play can also help fight discrimination and the exclusion of marginalised groups.

FCB contributes a total of around HK$15 millon (Euro 1.5 million) per year to support UNICEF’s work with the aim to reach millions of children in 16,000 schools in four countries: Brazil, China, Ghana and South Africa. Over 5,000 teachers and coaches are planned to be trained, and sport and sport values will be integrated in school programmes. Schools will also be provided with sports supplies and improved infrastructure for physical education, sport and play programmes.