Hamburg to host UEFA-backed match against poverty Dec 13

PanARMENIAN.Net - Hamburg will stage the ninth UEFA-backed Match Against Poverty on 13 December, with most of the proceeds going towards addressing the ongoing food crisis in the Horn of Africa.

As Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), FIFA World Cup winners Ronaldo and Zinédine Zinedine will gather a team of famous players for a friendly game against an all-star side from Bundesliga club Hamburger SV at the Hamburg Arena. The 57,000 match tickets are now on sale.

The annual Match Against Poverty seeks to mobilise the public to fight against poverty and promote action on the UN's Millennium Development Goals – eight internationally agreed goals designed to end extreme poverty worldwide by 2015. Ronaldo and Zidane have been the driving force behind the Match Against Poverty since its inception in 2003.

"I am proud of the success of the Match Against Poverty and very honoured that clubs such as HSV have offered to host the event," said the recently retired Ronaldo, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994 and 2002.

This year, organisers and players have joined the global effort to address the crisis in the Horn of Africa, where more than 13 million people have been left in need by famine, drought, conflict and high food prices.

"Through the 2011 edition in Hamburg we hope we will be able to raise both awareness and funds for the people in need in the Horn of Africa," said Zidane, who lifted the World Cup with France in 1998. "And while I obviously hope to win, the Match Against Poverty is much more than a game – it is part of the global fight against poverty." UEFA President Michel Platini added: "I am greatly encouraged to see that the ninth edition of the Match Against Poverty takes place in an iconic European stadium – the Hamburg Arena – and will again feature such great football ambassadors as Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane.

"I am a firm believer that football can play a key role in highlighting problems in society and helping to find solutions. This match, in support of the fight against poverty and promoting action on the eight Millennium Development Goals, is a great example of this and I wish them the best of luck."

Two thirds of the proceeds will be used to bolster humanitarian and recovery activities in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The UN is working in these countries to provide emergency food aid, water, shelter and health services, while working on longer-term development plans.

Revenue from the eight previous Matches Against Poverty has benefited projects in more than 27 developing countries, including recent recovery efforts in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods, UEFA official website reported.