FIFA ropes in Roger Milla for anti-Malaria campaign

PRETORIA - Cameroon football legend Roger Milla and FIFA have teamed up in a campaign that seeks to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.

The campaign inspired by the first FIFA World Cup in Africa was unveiled in Johannesburg Sunday and hopes to meet its objectives of maintaining focussed leadership in fighting the disease and delivering messages on using mosquito nets and seeking treatment within 24 hours.

“The FIFA World Cup in South Africa is a very special occasion and we hope that by holding the tournament in Africa it will have a positive impact on the whole continent. We have asked national teams in Africa to take on a cause to support and use their profile to make a difference in their countries,” Federico Addiechi, head of Corporate Social Responsibility at FIFA, was quoted as saying Bua News.

The campaign already boasts the support of 16 national football associations in Africa, as well as top footballers such as Kolo Toure, Michael Essien of Ghana, Didier Drogba, Fredi Kanoute and Landon Donovan. “The long term support of Milla, one of the best known African footballers of all time, will help ensure malaria remains a focus for leaders across Africa.

“I have suffered from malaria, my friends and family have suffered from malaria and Africa has suffered from malaria for far too long,” Addiechi added.

“This World Cup is special as the first one in Africa and by using football, the United Against Malaria campaign has built up a formidable partnership to end deaths from this terrible disease. I know I cannot make a big difference alone, and that is why I have signed up to be a member of the United Against Malaria team,” he said.