FIFA WORLD CUP FEVER !

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FOOTBALL training academy, equipped with HIV/Aids testing facilities, has opened in Soweto.
Executive mayor Amos Masondo, together with president of Nike Inc. Mark Parker and Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, at the opening of the football academy

The Nike Community Football Training Centre in Klipspruit was officially opened by Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, together with sport equipment manufacturer Nike, on Wednesday, 9 June.

Masondo was joined by community and business leaders, and professional athletes.

The centre will give 20 000 young footballers a year the chance to develop their football talent while also having access to HIV/AIDS education through football life skills programming. The centre has photos, signed T-shirts and signed soccer boots of greats such as Ronaldo from Brazil, 10 Apple Mac computers and a coffee shop on the ground floor. On the first floor, are the offices and the roof has been fitted with synthetic grass and has a view of the two huge soccer grounds.

"The City of Joburg has always said that the government working alone and in isolation will not be able to effectively address the complex challenges that face our society. To succeed, we need a partnership across all spheres of government, civil society organisations, business as well as communities," said the mayor.

"To Nike, your contribution is truly appreciated. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all the teams well in their endeavours and may the best team win."

Mzamo Masito, the Nike South Africa marketing director, added: "This is indeed a day to remember because we're in the heart of Soweto and the heartbeat of South African soccer ... There is no way you can talk about the history of Soweto and not mention Klipspruit."

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Mark Parker, the president and chief executive of Nike Inc, also spoke at the opening. "Nike has always understood the power of sport to inspire change and to make a difference in people's lives," he said.
The state-of-the-art football training centre in Klipspruit

"The football training centre will create a lasting legacy for the Soweto community and inspire the next generation of footballers by delivering premium football clinics combined with life skills programming to give young people the knowledge they need to live HIV free."

Also in attendance were the Joburg portfolio head for community development, Bafana Sithole; Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi; the Safa president, Kirsten Nematandani; the president of the National Olympic Committee of South Africa, Sam Ramsamy; the ambassador to the United States, Donald Gibbs; Alexander Pato, the AC Milan striker; and the former South African striker, Shaun Bartlett.

"Nike's approach to combine football, education and medication is a powerful example of how sport can be used as a catalyst, enabling youth to make informed decisions and hopefully live a life free of HIV," said Motsoaledi.

The centre is part of Nike's commitment to the communities of South Africa which dates back 15 years. It also follows Nike's recent partnership with RED to leverage the power of sport to fight HIV/Aids in Africa through the Lace Up/Save Lives campaign.

When someone buys a pair of Nike-RED laces, the company contributes money to support programmes that offer education and medication on the ground in Africa and that harness the power of sport to engage youth around the world in the fight against Aids.

Nike is one of the world's leading designers, marketers and distributors of athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. RED's primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund to help eliminate Aids.