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Special Fifa jersey for Madiba
17/07/2007 16:09 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Tuesday was given a football jersey as an early birthday president by football's controlling body Fifa.
In a statement Fifa said that Brazilian football legend Pele, three-time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner personally gave the present to the former political prisoner.
The official jersey for the Africa XI v Rest of the World XI match in Cape Town's Newlands Stadium on July 18 with Mandela's name and the number 89 on the back and featuring the 46664 campaign to raise global awareness about HIV and Aids on the front was given to Mandela in Johannesburg.
The statesman, who turns 89 on Wednesday, will further be honoured by Fifa with the football match.
"I am deeply honoured to receive this tribute from Fifa, but it must always be remembered that I was one of many who fought for freedom from tyranny and racism. It is fitting, therefore, that Fifa will also pay homage to the Makana Football Association on Robben Island," he said.
The Makana association is to become an honorary member of Fifa on Wednesday.
"During the dark years of our incarceration, the association drew together all the prisoners on the island around the beautiful game of soccer. In this way it helped uphold the values of tolerance, of inclusiveness and reconciliation, and of non-racialism and peace that are still dear to all of us today," he said.
An incredible moment
Fifa said they had discussed a number of topics including the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa, as well as his fight against Aids and discrimination with Mandela.
"I've always longed to meet Nelson Mandela. He has fought his whole life for equality and justice. It was an incredible moment to be able to speak with this great personality.
"Tomorrow (Wednesday), on the field, we will be standing in the line-up together to show a signal to the world. I'm going to tell the world that I have been here. I am very, very proud to be part of this historic event," said Eto'o.
Fifa said that Pele and Eto'o promised Madiba, as the statesman is popularly known in his country, to tell the world about their South African experiences and to contribute to the fight against discrimination and Aids.
"I have met a lot of great personalities in my life but Nelson Mandela is an extraordinary person. I am really touched and honoured to lead the Rest of the World team in his birthday match. I am a big admirer of what this man has achieved in his life," Pele said.
Fifa said that Jack Warner told Mandela that the organisation is looking forward to 2010 with great anticipation and is certain that it will be the best World Cup ever.
"It is a unique occasion for us to be welcomed by a living legend of democracy and anti-discrimination as he celebrates his birthday. The Fifa president is very sorry that he could not personally make it due to other commitments related to the international match calendar but he sends his heartfelt greetings," he said. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA
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