Sir David Richards and Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, respectively Chairman and CEO of the EPFL, where among the protagonist of an EPFL delegation that travelled to Burkina Faso to visit EU-funded FAO humanitarian crisis projects, within the framework of the successful Campaign “Professional Football Against Hunger”.
During the two-day visit, the EPFL delegation had the opportunity to touch the reality of local population and institutions involved in the “Emergency Crisis – Humanitarian Aid” EU funded FAO projects, in an effort to raise awareness of the international community and restore the self reliance of people affected by the 2010 food emergency caused by drought and torrential rain the Sahel area.
The delegation, counted with the extraordinary participation of Hristo Stoichkov, European Footballer of the Year 1994 and Ambassador of the Campaign, and Stefan Kapralov, President of the Bulgarian Professional Football League.
Hunger unacceptable
“The European Leagues are taking on the responsibility that goes with its ever more prominent role in society,” said Sir David Richards, who is also Chairman of the English Premier League. “We want to contribute to alleviating the plight of nearly one billion people who go to bed hungry every day.” "We are committed to use the power of professional football and the influence of our 30 Member Leagues to eradicate hunger and poverty. That’s why we have come to Burkina Faso, one of the world’s poorest and most needed countries” said EPFL CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros during the press conference in Ouagadougou.
Representing the 30 largest European professional football leagues and almost 950 clubs, EPFL teamed up with FAO in 2008 launching a “Professional Football Against Hunger” campaign. Recently, they welcomed the world’s biggest humanitarian donor, the European Union - Humanitarian Aid (EU), as a new partner to raise awareness about the unacceptable level of hunger among European citizens.
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