African football legend Didier Drogba is expected to grace the upcoming African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia.
The 11th edition of the multi-sport event is scheduled to run from 4 to 13 July across Windhoek and Swakopmund.
AUSC Region 5 Games chief executive officer Stanley Mutota says Drogba has been invited in his capacity as Special Olympics global ambassador, given that this year’s event aims to promote disability sport.
Drogba’s involvement in the competition will include taking part in an exhibition match and opening ceremony.
“We need global ambassadors to help drive this message, and God willing, Didier Drogba will be here,” Mutota said during the ‘Making Noise Namibia’ campaign workshop held in Windhoek on Monday.
“He is one of our great footballers and the African ambassador for Special Olympics. We will play a unified football match at the opening ceremony to make a statement about the need for an inclusive society that embraces everyone and provides opportunities for all,” Mutota says.
He says support for disability sport must stem not just from an intentional standpoint, but should also be reflected in action and resourcing.
“Our budgeting, infrastructure, and policymaking must align accordingly. This is when we must challenge ourselves to change, to share stories that transform lives, and ensure our people can think anew and provide better opportunities,” he says.
The Special Olympics and Drogba are working together to promote the development of Special Olympics programmes that strive towards creating continuous opportunities and empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities, leading to a more inclusive society for all.
Drogba has supported the Special Olympics since the 2012 Africa Regional Games, especially within his home country, Ivory Coast.
The former Elephants captain is Ivory Coast’s all-time leader in goals scored in international matches and was twice named the African Footballer of the Year (in 2006 and 2009).
He is best-known for his exploits at English Premiership side Chelsea where he won the Uefa Champions League, four English Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups across two spells.
Drogba was last in Namibia in 2013m when he was named Windhoek Lager ambassador. – Nampa
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