Countdown to 'Champions for Life' begins

The Vicente Calderón Stadium was the venue for the presentation of the 2nd 'Champions for Life' match, the most important charity game in Spanish football. The match, organised by the Fútbol Profesional Foundation and the UNICEF Spanish Committee, will be held on 29 December between East and West, two teams made up of stars of the Liga.

The event was attended by Javier Tebas, chairman of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional; Juan José Almagro, vice-chairman of the UNICEF Spanish Committee; Ana Muñoz, general sporting director of CSD; Yolanda García, sports director of TVE, and Enrique Cerezo, chairman of Atlético Madrid. Also in attendance were representatives of Liga BBVA and Liga Adelante clubs, the AFE and the media, who were keen to join this charity initiative.

Under the slogan 'Celebrate Life', the goal remains to help children. On the one hand, UNICEF will use the funds raised to combat ebola in Africa. And on the other, the Liga de Fútbol Profesional Foundation will provide funding for projects put forward by the clubs of a social/humanitarian nature, related to the most basic needs of children, both in Spain and overseas.

The first to speak was Enrique Cerezo, who expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. "For Atlético de Madrid it is an honour to take part in this event, which is so full of solidarity. Our club is very aware of the importance of these actions for those most in need, particularly children. The Vicente Calderón has hosted many events of this kind. We therefore expect ‘Champions for Life’ to be just as popular and that it will be a resounding success", said the chairman.

"Sport helps to educate children, to find role models, to learn teamwork and decency. UNICEF’s involvement with the LFP and Atlético de Madrid is therefore necessary", said Juan José Almagro, vice-chairman of the UNICEF Spanish Committee. Yolanda García, the TVE sports director, said that "The goal is to take this message of cooperation everywhere. Between all of us, we must mobilise society".

"The Champions for Life match is now a Christmas classic. CSD would like to thank Spanish football for what it does for sport. It will allow those players that make us happy on the weekends to make us happy again by helping those who really need it", explained Ana Muñoz, the CSD general sporting director.

The last to speak was Javier Tebas, chairman of the LFP. "Football has to give back to society what society has given it. Thanks to football we can reach millions of people to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. This second event, under the slogan 'Celebrate Life', will once again involve the 42 clubs of the Liga BBVA and Liga Adelante and the players, managers and referees. To all of them, to Atlético de Madrid and TVE, thank you for helping us in this challenge", the LFP chairman declared.

Tebas also provided information on the projects that the funds raised by the Fútbol Profesional Foundation will be used for. The Club Atlético de Madrid Foundation, with 'Project Harambee', aimed at solidarity and cooperation for the children of Africa; the Levante UD Foundation and the 'Nova Esperanca Project', aimed at an orphanage in Mozambique; the Osasuna Foundation and its 'Nicaragua Social Project', and finally, the Real Madrid Foundation, which will use the funds for the 'Social Sports School Project' in Madagascar. The Fútbol Profesional Foundation is also putting forward a fifth project, 'Educating through Football', aimed at the social integration of children in Seville slums".