New Delhi: The Football4Hope – “United Cup 2012” sponsored by SABMiller India was kicked off at the Thayagaraj Sport Complex, New Delhi. 14 teams participated this year, including last year’s champions, United Nations Organisation, Team India and Hope Team, teams from Embassies of Denmark, China, Spain, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Netherlands and Israel, and High Commission of Republic of Botswana and Tanzania. The final match will be played on 1st April 2012.
The Touch of Hope Foundation and The New Delhi United Football Club join hands and formed Football4Hope is an initiative committed to promote health, healing and hope. Since 2010 the initiative has been passionately promoting community participation in sports and involvement in social cause. The Football4hope has been instrumental in vigorously spreading public health awareness on HIV and AIDS. The resources raised from the activities of the initiative compliments the humanitarian work of the Touch of Hope Foundation a registered non-profit charitable organization committed to providing compassionate care for people with HIV&AIDS through comprehensive care services, counseling support groups, self help activities, technical support to organizations, trainings and research.
Haroon James, Co-Founder Football4Hope Initiative is very optimistic, “The Annual United Cup in 2010 and 2011 were successful events, which brought joy, fun and the spirit of good will among the various missions and embassies of various countries in India. The 2011 United Cup brought together representatives from 16 Embassies and High Commissions who actively participated and demonstrated their football skills and extraordinary display of talent.”
“The Football4Hope initiative helps increase awareness of HIV and AIDS and spread message of hope while fighting the spread of the virus and stigma associated with the disease. It demonstrates that sports and community services do enhance quality of life and make positive difference in people life and help secure a healthier, sustainable future.”, says Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing, Co- Founder of Football4Hope Initiative and Founder President of The Touch of Hope Foundation. Dr. Thangsing is the recipient of the prestigious Royal Order of Sahametrei awarded by the Royal Government of Cambodia for his distinguished humanitarian work in the field of HIV and AIDS and public health. He has also been awarded the Karmaveer Purushkaar by the Indian Confederation of NGOs in recognition to his commitment to serving people with HIV.
“HIV/AIDS is one of the key sustainable priorities of SABMiller worldwide. As a socially committed organization, SABMiller India recognizes that HIV/AIDS can be a major threat to the world of work and can affect the most productive segment of the work force. Football is a game of determination, hard work, team work, energy and joy. It uplifts the spirit, fosters strong friendship, generates optimism to fight, overcome life’s hurdles and ushers a feeling of hope in people. Through this initiative, we aim to spread awareness and knowledge and provide care and support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.” SABMiller India.
The proceeds from the SABMiller India United Cup 2012 will be utilized to help establish a Center of Hope in New Delhi where compassionate care services would be delivered by highly dedicated professionals.
“We at The Suryaa, New Delhi, feel strongly about promoting sports related activities and sports tourism in the country. Our partnership with the touch of hope foundation to host United Cup 2012 -Inter embassy football tournament was an instant decision as the synergy between the two complements each other. Hosting such sports-related initiatives for the country’s youth reflects true philosophy of our Hotel - of being young, energetic and committed to the nation’s future generation. Through sport, the Hotel aims to ingrain key values such as respect, integrity, work ethic and team work both on and off the field. Our hotel hosts various sports events such as water polo tournament which an annual activity along with hosting various golf tournaments in the country.” says Mr. Greesh Bindra, Vice President General Manager – The Suryaa, New Delhi
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