Johannesburg, November 6, 2006 – South African sports legends Lucas Radebe and Ernst van Dyk have been unveiled as the newest members of the Laureus Friends & Ambassadors programme.
Many of the world’s most influential sportsmen and women are attending the Laureus Academy Forum, among them Martina Navratilova, Bobby Charlton, Kapil Dev, Ilie Nastase, Morné du Plessis and Monica Seles.
Also present are members of the Laureus Friends & Ambassadors programme in South Africa, including celebrated mountaineer Deshun Deysel, former national netball captain Bronwyn Bock-Jonathan, boxing legend Baby-Jake Matlala, Bafana Bafana great John Moeti, Radio presenter John Robbie and TV sports presenter Cynthia Tshaka.
The two new projects announced at the Academy Forum are the Buffalo City Soccer School in East London, and Fight With Insight, a boxing project for young offenders based in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg.
Laureus Friends & Ambassadors are current or retired sportsmen and women who have achieved sporting greatness or made significant contributions to the sporting community during their careers.
They are recognised as role models and icons of success within their local region and have volunteered their services to support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in their own country.
At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, Patron of Laureus former President Nelson Mandela said: "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair."
This has become the philosophy of Laureus; the driving force behind its work.
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation addresses a broad range of social problems through a worldwide programme of sports related community development initiatives. Since its inception, Laureus has improved the lives of almost 150,000 young people.
During the visit, the Laureus Academy members visited Alexandra, where they met children from the existing four Laureus Sport for Good Foundation supported projects in Gauteng – Alexandra Football Academy, Free The Youth, Little Champs and Starfish Sports.
Ms Barbara Creecy, Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, said: "This event brings living sporting legends to the province to give coaching clinics to our young aspiring sports stars.
“This will encourage our learners to train and practice harder as they seek to emulate their heroes. Sport has a major role to play in creating a better life for our people and we warmly welcome the foundation and its activities in our country."
Morné du Plessis, Chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in South Africa, said: "I am delighted that the Laureus Academy Forum is being held in South Africa. I like to think that South Africa is a perfect example of what Laureus can do.
“We support projects throughout the country to help underprivileged young people, and we have the enthusiastic backing of the business community which makes our work possible."
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