Due to its values , popularity, universal nature and appeal, football (in all of its forms) can be a viable and practical instrument for achieving social and human development targets, tackling
many of the major problems faced by society today, and supporting the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in tandem with the United Nations is promoting the Millennium Development Goals at the XIII South Pacific Games Men’s and Women’s Football Tournament in
Apia this afternoon.
Some of the key messages are being delivered throughout the day with the full support of the participating teams. OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas
said the initiative was working exceptionally well with gift packs being distributed amongst the spectators and other promotional activities taking place.
“Each team involved in the semi-final stage has lent their voice and support to the Millennium Development Goals with the two semi-finals so far –
Fiji v Tonga women’s and Solomon Islands v New Caledonia men’s – both proving a success,” Nicholas said.
Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation (SFSF) President Toleafoa Tautulu Roebeck said it was a tribute to the unity and solidarity of the Oceania football family that each
team was able to co-operate with the UN and OFC initiative.
“This is a great example of how football can be used to raise awareness of the issues facing the people of the Oceania region. I’m very happy that the SFSF facility and
the occasion of the South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007 can be used to promote these key social issues,” Roebeck said.
UN Resident Coordinator Naheed Haque, agreed. “We are convinced of football’s social potential and there is a
natural fit with the UN Millennium Development Goals aim to promote awareness and reduction of child mortality, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, malaria, poverty, at the same time promoting education
and gender equality,” Haque said.
The Millennium Development Goals have been adopted by each semi-finalist at the XIII South Pacific Games as
follows:
“Today Tonga is happy to champion – Millennium Development Goal 1 – which is about eradicating global poverty and hunger – No Child should
go hungry”
“Today Fiji is happy to champion Millennium Development Goal 2 – which is
about ensuring all children go to school – Education is a right not a privilege”
“Today New Caledonia is happy to champion – Millennium Development Goal 3 – which is about promoting equal opportunities for development –
Let’s share responsibilities and build a better society”
“Today Solomon Islands is happy to champion Millennium Development Goal 4 – which is about making sure our children are healthy and not dying
needlessly – Children are our future – protect our future”
“Today Vanuatu is happy to champion – Millennium Development Goal 5 – which is about ensuring mother’s do not die unnecessarily during
childbirth – No woman should die giving life”
“Today Fiji is happy to champion – Millennium Development Goal 6 –
which is about eradicating preventable diseases – Complacency kills – protect yourself and your partner from HIV and AIDs” “Today Tahiti is happy to champion – Millennium Development Goal 7 – which is about protecting our environment for
future generations– Protect our Pacific – let’s keep it clean and green”.
“Today Papua New Guinea is happy to champion – Millennium Development Goal 8 – which is about developing partnerships
for development – Let us all – government, sporting bodies and development partners work together for our future”