| Unity cup started with high hopes
'We are trying to make Maldives a drug free nation by 2010' says UNICEF representative
27 December 2005
Uploaded: 27.12.2005, 10:05 PM
Maldini: addressing to the audience before starting the event
(Pixel Photography)
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MALDIVES - AC Milan skipper Paulo Maldini kicks off the Unity cup today, to commemorate the Tsunami Victims and to support the 'drug free camapaigne'. During his addressing to the audience, Maldini talked about his experiences and urged the youths to support the camapaigne.
Before starting the event, one minute of silence was observed in rememberance of the Tsunami Victims. A song was performed by local talents before Minister of Youth and Sports addressing to the audience.
UNICEF representative Ken Maskell also spoke before the event and highlighted the purpose of this event.
Maldini handed over the trophy from AC Milan to Maldives FA president Mr. Abdul Shukoor and then kicked off the event. During the exhibition matches played today, teams from various age groups of youth development programe performed. A youth and an Under 14 team from the island of Huraa also participated. Huraa is an island that hit Tsunami last year.
During the news conference, UNICEF representative Ken Maskell stated that they are planning to set up rehabilitation centres in the communities and use sports as one of the main tools and to make Maldives a drug free nation by 2010.
"we are trying to make Maldives a drug free nation by 2010. I know it is quite ambitious and it is a very high target. But if we are determined to do it, we would definitely achieve the target"
In the news conference Maldini too shared what he saw in Maldives which are related to drugs.
"If we have an aim and if we work towards it, we would achieve the goal. Sport helps to grow the self confidence and it brings everyone together"
Maldini also agreed that sports such as football could be used as a tool in the rehabilation process and said it would be best if we could talk about it with the victims of drugs.
'It is essential to talk about it. We should make them and others understand about the situation. Everyone like us dream to be a professional, and sports help us to achieve it in a drug free environment'
Maldini was very impressed with the people who help the drug abusers in the rehabilitation center in Himmafushi. Maldni visited Himmafushi yesterday and talked to some of the victims in the rehabilitation center.
"I was really impressed on how the people help the victims in the center. They do not get much money for it, but they do it as a community service. Also I talked with two people who were injured during football and in that process started taking drugs. "
He continued with his story in the Rehabilitation center.
" They still have chances and come in to life. Everyone, even the footballers have second and even third chances. So they should take the chance and come back to normal life. ' He said.
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
Maldini hands over the trophy to Abdul Shukoor,
Maldives FA president.
(Pixel Photography)
Maldini kicks off the event, while senior national team
players (L) enjoying. (Pixel Photography)
Maldini (L) and UNICEF representaive Ken Maskell
during the news conference. (Pixel Photography)
Young players showing their talent. (Pixel Photography)
(Pixel Photography)
Ladies in action (Pixel Photography)
(Pixel Photography)
(Pixel Photography)
(Pixel Photography)
(Pixel Photography)
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