HAMBURG TO HOST 2011 MATCH AGAINST POVERTY

UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Zinédine Zinedine in action during the 2010 Match Against Poverty©Getty Image

UEFA- Some 30 international stars will join Brazilian and French greats Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane at the ninth UEFA-supported Match Against Poverty in Hamburg on Tuesday, with most of the proceeds going towards addressing the ongoing food crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Ronaldo and Zidane are Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and are putting together a team of famous players for a friendly match at the Hamburg Arena against an all-star side from Hamburger SV (kick-off 19.05CET). These top names include Fabio Cannavaro, Luís Figo, Pavel Nedvěd and Didier Drogba, while the likes of Jörg Albertz, Sergej Barbarez and Richard Golz will turn out for the Bundesliga club.

The annual Match Against Poverty seeks to mobilise the public to fight against poverty and promote action on the UN's Millennium Development Goals – eight internationally agreed goals designed to end extreme poverty worldwide by 2015. Ronaldo and Zidane have been the driving force behind the Match Against Poverty since its inception in 2003.

This year, organisers and players have joined the global effort to address the crisis in the Horn of Africa, where more than 13 million people have been left in need by famine, drought, conflict and high food prices. Two thirds of the match proceeds will go towards the UN's attempt to address the ongoing food crisis, while HSV will donate the remaining funds towards diverse community development projects focused on sports, youth, education and protection of the environment, and corporate social responsibility among its sponsors and partners.

UEFA President Michel Platini said: "I am greatly encouraged to see that the ninth edition of the Match Against Poverty takes place in an iconic European stadium – the Hamburg Arena – and will again feature such great football ambassadors as Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane.

"I am a firm believer that football can play a key role in highlighting problems in society and helping to find solutions. This match, in support of the fight against poverty and promoting action on the eight Millennium Development Goals, is a great example of this and I wish them the best of luck."

Revenue from the eight previous Matches Against Poverty has benefited projects in more than 27 developing countries, including recent recovery efforts in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods.


Tickets range from €8 to €20 and are available on
www.hsv.de/ticket.

To donate to the Horn of Africa crisis, visit
  undp.org/hornofafrica.