JOHANNESBURG: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named the
United Against Malaria (UAM) campaign as an official social program of the 2013
Orange Africa Cup of Nations.
Highlighted at the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2013 playoff draw in
Johannesburg recently, in conjunction with the Local Organizing Committee
(LOC) of the South African Football Association (SAFA), the role of the
tournament in disseminating messages about the prevention and treatment of
malaria to millions of African football fans was reinforced.
“In order for Africa to compete on the
global football pitch, we must have players and communities that are free of malaria,”
said Mr. Hicham El Amrani, Secretary General of CAF. “We are committed to using
the popularity of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations tournament to raise
awareness and increase the fight against this devastating disease.”
Although preventable and treatable,
malaria kills a child in Africa every 60 seconds. By tapping into the
popularity and excitement surrounding Africa’s signature tournament, CAF, the
LOC and UAM have partnered together with tournament sponsors to disseminate
life-saving malaria prevention and treatment messages to millions of fans
across the continent.
\”We, as the Local Organising
Committee for the Orange AFCON 2013 are happy with the social issues that have
been identified by CAF together with the social partners,” said Mvuzo Mbebe, the CEO of the Local Organizing Committee
for the Orange AFCON 2013.” We believe that they are in line with our
assertion that football must be used as a vehicle and platform to highlight the
plight of Africans and marginalized communities. The fight against malaria and
the interventions by UAM to help address this problem is welcomed by the
LOC.\”
Through activities including television
spots featuring prominent players and in stadium branding, UAM is partnering
with tournament sponsors, including Standard Bank, to deliver life-saving
messages on the prevention and treatment of malaria. Research has shown that
audiences retain and act on these messages more often when delivered by their
football heroes. Players including Kolo
Touré (Ivory Coast), Moussa Sow (Senegal), André Ayew (Ghana) have recognized
the unique role they can play in malaria education and have lent their voice to
the United Against Malaria campaign in various ways including interviews and
participation in Public Service Announcements.
Africa is our home. With malaria prevalent in 16 of the 18
countries in which Standard Bank has a presence in Africa, it is crucial for us
to play a role in increasing awareness of malaria prevention and treatment
amongst both our staff and the communities we serve. Through our strong partnership with UAM, and
our long-standing CAF sponsorship, we aim to do just that,” says Sim
Tshabalala, Deputy CEO, Standard Bank Group.
In Tanzania,
Standard Bank operates as Stanbic Bank, and earlier in the year the bank
pledged its continued support in the fight against Malaria. “At Stanbic Bank,
we recognize that Malaria is still one of the country’s top killer disease and
therefore it is very important for us to support the fight against Malaria in
an effort to reduce the number of deaths caused by the disease and in the end
make our country Malaria free,” said Stanbic Bank Managing Director, Bashir
Awale.
Building on the success of past football
tournaments, such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2011
CECAFA Tusker Challenge Cup in Tanzania, UAM will continue to work with the
African political leadership and private sector to play a greater role in
stopping global malaria deaths, 91 percent of which occur in Africa.
Specific details on other activities in
endemic countries and in stadium in South Africa are currently being finalized
and the UAM campaign expects the tournament to highlight the need for continue
support in the fight against malaria.
To learn more about UAM, please
visit www.UnitedAgainstMalaria.org or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/UnitedAgainstMalaria.
About
Malaria
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites
that are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. If
left untreated, the infection in its most severe forms can lead to coma and
death. Malaria is preventable and treatable, but continues to kill a child
every 60 seconds and 655,000 people each year. More than 90 percent of these
deaths occur in Africa, and the majority of them are children under the age of
five. Furthermore, malaria contributes to the cycle of poverty and limits
economic development.
About
United Against Malaria
United Against Malaria is a partnership of
football teams and heroes, celebrities, health and advocacy organizations,
governments, corporations, and individuals who have united to win the fight
against malaria. Our goal is to galvanize partners throughout the world to
reach the international target of reducing deaths worldwide. For more
information, please visit www.UnitedAgainstMalaria.org.
About
Orange Africa Cup of Nations
The Orange Africa Cup of Nations is the
continent’s premiere football championship, organized biannually by the
Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 2013 tournament, hosted by South
Africa from January 19 to February 10, will be followed by millions of fans in
Africa and around the world. For more information, please visit www.Cafonline.com.