FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), and the UEFA Foundation for Children celebrated the opening of the latest Field in a Box in the Philippi township of Cape Town on Saturday 14 April 2018.
As the main sponsor of the UEFA Europa League, FedEx delivers its Field in a Box programme in collaboration with the UEFA Foundation for Children and global non-profit organisation streetfootballworld. The programme delivers easy-to-install, artificial-turf sports fields, each aiming to use football as a platform to empower children and young adults.
“Our intention by building these fields is to provide an environment that is inclusive and accessible to everyone in the community. We hope that they will provide a foundation for personal and sometimes longer-term socio-economic development,” says Mike Higley, FedEx Express vice-president for sub-Saharan Africa.
“Living and playing together is a commitment to the future and sustainable development of South Africa. We are pleased to join forces with FedEx Express and streetfootballworld to allow the boys and girls of this community to become the responsible citizens of tomorrow,” says Pascal Torres, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children.
“By introducing the ‘football for good’ movement to Philippi, we’re offering young people an opportunity to learn the benefits of teamwork and respect in an environment where positive dialogue is really encouraged,” says Vladimir Borkovic, director of streetfootballworld.
Oasis, a non-profit organisation founded in Cape Town in 2000, will oversee the programme of activities at the field and ensure its sustainable use in the community. “The Field in a Box will be a great support for the youth of Philippi. We hope this initiative will uplift the community and be enjoyed by all,” says Clifford Martinus, founder of Oasis.
Together with FedEx Express, Oasis hosted a formal inauguration of the field attended by, among others, Albert Fritz, Western Cape provincial minister for social development, and Anroux Marais, provincial minister for cultural affairs and sport. Former South Africa captain, Lucas Radebe joined in the celebrations, to the delight of local children.
This is the third Field in a Box to be built by FedEx in collaboration with the UEFA Foundation for Children and the first of three fields that FedEx has committed to build outside Europe under its community investment platform FedEx Cares.
Read more about the project here.
