Special Olympics Announces Launch of New Global Football Initiative

Special Olympics Announces Launch of New Global Football Initiative

October 01, 2007

    SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Special
Olympics today announced the launch of a new global
initiative to expand football opportunities for players
with intellectual disabilities. This was presented at a
press conference prior to the final of the FIFA Women's
World Cup China 2007 in Shanghai.

    (Logo: 
http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/200611161203-min.jpg )

    Special Olympics is the world's largest sports
programme for people with intellectual disabilities,
providing year-round training and competition for more than
2.5 million athletes in 165 countries. Football is one of
the major sports in Special Olympics, with more than
300,000 players participating world wide.

    Special Olympics Global Football (SOGF) aims to use the
visibility and reach of the world's most popular sport to
generate greater public awareness, acceptance and respect
for people with intellectual disabilities, and to raise the
necessary funds to significantly expand Special Olympics
football participation on every continent.

    Several well-known football stars have already pledged
their commitment to supporting Special Olympics Global
Football, including Kaka, David James, Carlos Parreira,
Kristine Lilly, Doris Fitschen and Teofilo Cubillas. The
initiative is being co-chaired by Angelo Moratti, Special
Olympics International Board member and nephew of
Inter-Milan owner, Massimo Moratti, along with Argentinian
football legend Osvaldo (Ossie) Ardiles.

    "Through my involvement with local Special
Olympics football in London, I have seen first hand the
ability and love of the game shown by football players with
intellectual disabilities. Through football, we can
certainly help these individuals achieve greater things, on
and off the field; in turn, they can inspire all of us with
their unstoppable spirit," said Ossie Ardiles,
Co-Chair, Special Olympics Global Football Advisory
Committee.

    FIFA, through the Football For Hope Movement, which is
the key element of the strategic alliance with
streetfootballworld, is actively supporting Special
Olympics in 10 countries in Africa. Through this
partnership, more than 3,000 young players with
intellectual disabilities are involved in football training
and competition, and are given free health screenings. 

    "Football is a common and universal language which
unites people from all walks of life without discrimination
of any kind. The aim of FIFA's Football for Hope movement
is to create a better future through the game of football.
Within this programme, FIFA is determined to give its
support to Special Olympics, whose goal is truly
remarkable. I would like to encourage all football fans and
others to attend the Special Olympics Summer Games Shanghai
2007. For the Game. For the World.," stated FIFA
President Joseph S. Blatter.

    "We believe the global football community can
unite our athletes and families with fans and youth
creating new and exciting opportunities for acceptance and
inclusion," said Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of
Special Olympics. "We also believe the spirit,
determination and fair play of our athletes can inspire
footballers and their fans throughout the world."

    UEFA and CONMEBOL are also active partners in their
respective regions. Special Olympics is currently seeking
corporate sponsorship for this global initiative.

    The official launch of Special Olympics Global Football
will be at the Sheraton Denang Ballroom, Shanghai, from
12.00h to 14.00h on Thursday, 4 October.

    Note: Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate
world sport organisations for people with disabilities, both
recognised by the IOC. The Paralympics promote elite sports
opportunities for people with disabilities, while Special
Olympics promotes opportunities at all levels for people
with intellectual disabilities.

    Additional information about the 2007 Special Olympics
World Summer Games and competition results are available on
the Special Olympics website at
http://www.specialolympics.org . 

    Special Olympics is an international non-profit
organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with
intellectual disabilities to become physically fit,
productive and respected members of society through sports
training and competition.  Founded in 1968 by Eunice
Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round
sports training and competition to 2.5 million adults and
children with intellectual disabilities across 165
countries. The Special Olympics Movement offers one of the
world's greatest platforms for acceptance and inclusion for
all people--regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or
cultural differences. Corporate sponsors of Special
Olympics include: adidas, Bank of America, The Coca-Cola
Company, DHL, Mattel, Inc. and Mattel Children's
Foundation, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Find
out how you can become involved at
http://www.specialolympics.org .

    For more information, please contact:

     FIFA Media Department
     Tel:   [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Special Olympics International
     Tel:   [phone]
     [e-mail]