CUBA-SOCCER/REAL MADRID Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos visits Cuba as UNICEF Ambassador

Record ID: 151459

  • Title: CUBA-SOCCER/REAL MADRID Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos visits Cuba as UNICEF Ambassador
  • Date: 16th June 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (JUNE 16, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF VO THI THANG SCHOOL VARIOUS OF CHILDREN WAVING FLAGS AND HOLDING BANNERS REAL MADRID CENTRE BACK SERGIO RAMOS SIGNS SHIRT FOR STUDENT ABEL CARRASCO (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN STUDENT, ABEL CARRASCO, SAYING: "Sergio Ramos is my idol and when I found out he was coming to Cuba I did everything I could to find out where he wo
  • Embargoed: 1st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA3PKASE2CHYB64FXVTDA6OW1RA
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Real Madrid centre back Sergio Ramos visited Havana as part of a UNICEF delegation to conduct a working visit to the island, local media reported on Tuesday (June 16).
    According to reports, Ramos accompanied a UNICEF delegation from Spain in order to visit projects carried out on the Caribbean island which are supported by the United Nations organisation. He paid a visit to the Vo This Thang school in Havana.
    Ramos' visit comes after a recent visit by his countryman Raul, the former Real Madrid striker and Spain captain and that of Brazilian soccer great Pele, who joined his former club the New York Cosmos on a goodwill mission to Cuba that included an exhibition match between the Cosmos and the Cuban national team.
    Cuban student Abel Carrasco was thrilled to be able to meet Ramos and have him sign his shirt.
    "Sergio Ramos is my idol and when I found out he was coming to Cuba I did everything I could to find out where he would be so I could see him," Carrasco said.
    Another student, Javier Perez, spoke about the spate of recent visits. The visits come as Cuba enters a new era amid a normalisation of ties with the United States began last December.
    "I think Sergio Ramos' visit has touched the hearts of Cubans and a few weeks ago we were visited by Pele, we had been visited by Raul (Real Madrid striker) and with Sergio Ramos' visit this has been absolute chaos, but good chaos in this case, for all Cubans and for all fans of good soccer and in this case that of Madrid's," he said.
    In June 2014, Ramos was appointed UNICEF Spain's newest ambassador.
    He has been a longtime supporter of UNICEF's work on behalf of the most vulnerable children, visiting child survival programs in Senegal, leading and participating in solidarity matches such as Champions for Africa and Champions for Life, recording messages of support, donating personal objects and memorabilia to raise funds for UNICEF programmes and participating in television specials for the most vulnerable children.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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