West Africa: Zidane, Ronaldinho for Charity Match in Nigeria
By Joshua Odeyemi, 29 April 2012 Comment
Former World Players of the Year and World Cup winners Zinedine Zidane (France) and Ronaldinho (Brazil) have been pencilled for a charity match in Nigeria.

The charity match is part of the programmes of the Sports consultancy and management company, Matchmakers Consult International's ' Nigeria Pitch Awards' - an annual awards ceremony for all categories on the football field.

Other mega stars to play in the match are former African Player of the Year award winners Didier Drogba (Cote d'Ivoire), Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria), Samuel Eto'O Fils (Cameroon), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria), as well as Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Teko Modise (South Africa).

Joseph Yobo, Captain of Nigeria and the country's record international player will also join the party.

The date of the match has not been made known yet.

The reason

According to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)'s Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, "The objective of the match is to draw international attention to the problem of human trafficking in football."

He added that "the proceeds from the gates will be donated to the fight against human trafficking in the game."

Seminar too

The NFF Media Officer also said the Matchmakers Consult International, also received the approval to organise a seminar on 'Kicking Out Human Trafficking from Football' on the margin of the awards ceremony.

According to him, "in its letter of approval, the NFF referred to the successful two-day FIFA/NFF Players' Agents Workshop organized by the company and said it was looking forward to a truly glamorous Nigeria Football Awards that will fulfill all sectors and stakeholders."

Better outing

Chief Executive Officer of Matchmakers Consult, Mr. Shina Philips, said: "This is magnificent. We are excited at the opportunity to organise a show-stopping Football Awards that will reward persons in all playing positions on the field, as well as officials, players' agents, State Governments and the media."

"We are very appreciative of the NFF for giving us this go-ahead and we will thrive to do even better than we did for the Players' Agents Workshop. We will consult all stakeholders and midwife a process that will give birth to a credible selection and awards programme that will leave no one in doubt about its transparency."

He revealed that: "Already, we are in the process of contracting an international rating agency that will verify and guarantee the transparency and veracity of the entire awards process. Nothing will be taken for granted."

"Of course, this awards is NFF's way of showing appreciation to our numerous footballers and stakeholders, and it is open to players within and outside the country", explained Philips.

The annual red carpet and glamour show will be preceded by an international seminar on 'Kicking Human Trafficking Out of Football', while the international charity match will be held with the support of international football and human trafficking agencies across the globe.

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