The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed football legend Didier Drogba as its ambassador for sports and health.
According to a statement, Drogba from Cote d’ivoire will support WHO to promote the organizations guidance on the benefits of physical activity and other healthy lifestyles and highlight the value of sports particularly for youth.
In his acceptance speech, Drogba said he was honoured to team up with WHO and support its work to help people reach the highest level of health possible ,especially young people in all countries.
“I have benefitted first hand from the power of sports to lead a healthy life and I am committed to working with WHO to share such gains worldwide’ said the football legend,” he said.
WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed Drogba as not only a football legend but a dedicated advocate for the health and sustainable development of communities, and added that his support for WHO can help curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, including the benefits of physical activity and sports for all people.
Drogba is well known for his football career at Chelsea and as a two-time African Footballer of the Year (2006 and 2009), has a long track record of participating in various health campaigns such as healthy lifestyles, anti-malaria and HIV prevention and control.
Drogba’s announcement as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador was made during a ceremony to launch the “Healthy 2022 World Cup – Creating Legacy for Sport and Health”.
