MOROCCO: SPORTS - Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane lead teams in the United Nations Match Against Poverty

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  • Title: MOROCCO: SPORTS - Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane lead teams in the United Nations Match Against Poverty
  • Date: 19th November 2008
  • Summary: FES, MOROCCO (NOVEMBER 17 2008) (REUTERS) VIEWS OF FES SIGN FOR FRIENDS OF RONALDO AND ZIDANE MATCH RONALDO AND ZINEDINE ZIDANE ARRIVE (SOUNDBITE) (SPANISH) RONALDO SAYS: "It's my first visit to Morocco but I know that Brazil and Morocco have many things in common because both countries are part of the Third World. We came to Morocco to help poor people and we are pleased to see that our contribution will alleviate the sufferings of the less of people, especially those with social problems." ZINEDINE ZIDANE READY TO BE INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (FRENCH) ZINEDINE ZIDANE SAYS: "I did not have the opportunity to play in Morocco when I was a professional but I visited this country as well as Algeria. I am extremely happy to be here because lots of people love me here and I am very pleased with this. Every time I visit North Africa, I have the same strong feelings and I really wish I could have the opportunity to come back here and to go to Algeria as well" (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) CECILE MOLONIER, THE UNDP GENEVA BUREAU CHIEF SAYS: "Well, why Morocco? It is the first time that we organise the match against poverty outside of Europe. And Morocco was very interested in hosting the game, and I think it is a very beautiful symbol of solidarity among developing countries - not just among developed and developing countries but Morocco is the host and Morocco has contributed very significantly to the organisation of the game and we know that the Moroccan people are committed to making this game a big success." VIEWS IN FES
  • Embargoed: 4th December 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Morocco
  • Country: Morocco
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADC8G6AKQZZVLO29PEBRF5058W
  • Story Text: Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane were in Fes on Monday (November 17) as they prepared for the annual Match Against Poverty which this year is being held outside Europe.
    Zidane retired after the 2006 World Cup finals while Ronaldo has seldom been seen since a knee injury forced him out.
    Ronaldo is currently clubless after AC Milan released him because of his injury.
    The match is run by the United Nations Development Programme and Zidane and Ronaldo, both Goodwill Ambassadors for the programme, became the captains while at Real Madrid in 2002.
    They invite guest players to join them in a fund-raising and awareness-raising match against poverty. Recent matches have been held in France and Germany but this year the host is itself a developing country - Morocco.
    Ronaldo said: "It's my first visit to Morocco but I know that Brazil and Morocco have many things in common because both countries are part of the Third World. We came to Morocco to help poor people and we are pleased to see that our contribution will alleviate the sufferings of the less of people, especially those with social problems."
    Zidane, born in France of Algerian extraction, said:
    "I did not have the opportunity to play in Morocco when I was a professional but I visited this country as well as Algeria.I am extremely happy to be here because lots of people love me here and I am very pleased with this. Every time I visit North Africa, I have the same strong feelings and I really wish I could have the opportunity to come back here and to go to Algeria as well".
    The UN Development Programme's Geneva bureau chief, Cecile Molonier, said: "Well, why Morocco? It is the first time that we organise the match against poverty outside of Europe. And Morocco was very interested in hosting the game, and I think it is a very beautiful symbol of solidarity among developing countries - not just among developed and developing countries but Morocco is the host and Morocco has contributed very significantly to the organisation of the game and we know that the Moroccan people are committed to making this game a big success."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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