Music and sports exemplify African culture, and this year, the continent gets to celebrate both of those pastimes with the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert. The line-up of international stars headlining the concert will include: Alicia Keys, Amadou & Miriam, Angelique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Toure and Vusi Mahlasela. The concert is happening June 10 in Johannesburg.
All the proceeds for the concert will benefit 20 Centers for 2010, the campaign for this year’s event. The goal of the campaign is to build twenty Football for Hope Centers throughout Africa. Football for Hope uses football to aid in social development in distressed areas, helping youth through educational and health services.
It takes a lot of involvement from multiple parties to develop one of these centers, but members of the football community plan to come together for the long-term. In doing so, each center will be supported locally by a center host. The first of the twenty centers was built in Khayelitsha, South Africa, and is hosted by Grassroot Soccer. In addition to a turf and on-site coaching staff, the center welcomes educational and community gatherings, and provides public health services, counseling, and HIV/AIDS prevention awareness. The center has also become a place to hang out and be involved in the community, rather than a location for crime, which was widespread in the area before the center.
An estimated $10 million is needed to build all twenty centers. FIFA agreed to donate $500 for every goal scored in the qualifiers round, with a $1 million minimum contribution. However, more is needed to finance the mission. If you are heading to South Africa for the FIFA World Cup, and want to enjoy a night of amazing music, as well as contribute to the 20 Centers for 2010 campaign, head over to www.computicket.com to buy your ticket.
Photo by Mikkelz via Flickr, photo by rbairdpccam via Flickr.