Gill vows to promote ‘Asian Football Against Hunger’ campaign

AFC Media Release, Sunday, 16 October 2011: The ‘Asian Football Against Hunger’ Ambassador Kathryn Gill has vowed to spread the good word about AFC and UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s joint fight against hunger (Asian Football Hunger Ambassador Kathryn Gill).

The reigning AFC Women’s Player of the Year Kathryn Gill will headline the campaign here in this Southern Vietnamese city on the sidelines of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship. Gill, who visited FAO’s Tele-food projects in Hue province on Friday, said: “I visited FAO’s TeleFood projects in Hue province. The women in these villages are beneficiaries of AFC donations – money from the AFC Asian Cup 2011 ticket sales revenue.

“I’m so touched to see the mothers and children in the fishery villages and their life condition. I’m happy to be a part of the programme and sure that even a little change in their life is so meaningful. “So, the Asian Football against Hunger Campaign will take place tomorrow (Sunday), before the final match at 7pm between Vietnam and Japan at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

“AFC and FAO will raise awareness and mobilise civil society to fight hunger for the 578 million people living in poverty in Asia. Everyone else should get on board also.”

FAO’s Assistant Director-General for Asia and the Pacific, Hiroyuki Konuma said: “I would like to point out there are 578 million people affected by hunger and they need serious attention. “It is important that the younger generation be educated well so that they are sensitive enough to solve the hunger issues by all means,” he said.

AFC Corporate Responsibility Head Dr. Annathurai Ranganathan said football has tremendous followers in Asia and the AFC will use this for the campaign. “The AFC will use football tournaments in Asia, working closely with its member associations to send strong messages to raise awareness of people who are affected by hunger, AIDS, drugs, etc. “The AFC is proud to work with FAO for this noble cause,” he said.

The women in FAO’s Tele-food project villages are beneficiaries of AFC donations – money which was donated out of the AFC Asian Cup 2011 ticket revenue.The highlight of the campaign will be on Sunday before the final match of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship when the players of Japan and Vietnam promote the cause at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

AFC and FAO are working hand-in-hand to raise awareness and mobilise civil society to help the 578 million people living in poverty in Asia.

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