Aid worker Peter Adwel dries fish in an artificial drier in Turkana on Monday. Oxfam food aid project, funded by the EU, gives food vouchers to vulnerable families living around the lake to buy dried fish from local vendors. Oxfam’s charity appeal got further support through a by soccer legends in the UK last week. Photo/SIMON MAINA
By PETER LEFTIE pmutibo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, August 11 2011 at 22:30
Posted Thursday, August 11 2011 at 22:30
IN SUMMARY
- Match between Celtic United Legends and their Manchester United counterparts in response to Oxfam’s charity appeal
Unknown to many of the starving in northern Kenya, some of the world’s best known footballers held a “legends” match on Tuesday night and raised Sh47.5 million to feed them.
The match between Scottish soccer giants Celtic United Legends and their Manchester United counterparts at the former’s Parkhead Stadium in Glasgow was in response to Oxfam’s charity appeal for those affected by the food crisis in parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.
According to Oxfam’s media and communications officer in East and Central Africa, Alun McDonald, “proceeds from the match, along with donations made online and via SMS, are being donated to Oxfam’s East Africa food crisis appeal and will be spent on providing clean water, sanitation, food and cash support in parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia”.
“The final income is still being counted but so far at least $500,000 has been raised,” he added.
According to match reports, the Manchester United Legends team was led by former skipper Roy Keane and included former striker Dwight Yorke.
Brian McClair and Dion Dublin who like Keane had spells at both clubs were also in the Red Devils’ squad along with a host of non-soccer celebrities including comedian Patrick Kielty, television presenter Angus Deayton, former boxing great Nigel Benn and former sprinter Darren Campbell.
The Man U Legends were coached by former Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan who also played for the Red Devils as a midfielder in the 80s.
The hosts were coached by their former manager Martin O’Neill and had Swedish soccer legend Henrik Larsson who also featured for Man U towards the end of his playing career.
Also in the squad were former players such as current manager Neil Lennon, John Hartson, Chris Sutton, Lubo Moravcik and Alan Thompson, as well various celebrities including actor Gerard Butler and former boxer Steve Collins.
The match ended 5- 2 in favour of the hosts, courtesy of Larsson who scored a hat trick and a brace from dutchman Bobby Petta.
Yorke and Campbell scored for the Red Devils legends.
According to Mr McDonald, the charity match also received messages of support from current Red Devils and England International striker Wayne Rooney as well as Kenya’s own Victor Mugubi who joined Celtic this season.
“This is a great cause and one we should all support. The charitable spirit and generosity of our supporters is well known and we’re sure our fans will once again lend their backing to support the hundreds of thousands of people in East Africa who need our help.
“The images from the crisis which we are seeing daily are heart-breaking and this is a cause everyone at the club is fully behind,” Mr McDonald had quoted Lennon ahead of the match.
“The two clubs have decided to donate proceeds from the match to the East Africa food crisis appeal. Successive poor rains and lack of long-term investment has left over 12 million people ... facing severe shortages of food and water,” he said.
“The two clubs have decided to donate proceeds from the match to the East Africa food crisis appeal. Successive poor rains and lack of long-term investment has left over 12 million people ... facing severe shortages of food and water,” he said.
Playing a privilege
Celtic legend and Wales international John Hartson said: “Playing in a football match like last night’s is a pleasure and a privilege; playing on the winning team is even better.
“But what was really good — when it was all over — was to remember that it wasn’t just a game of football, but an amazing way of helping families who are still desperately in need of the most basic things, like water, food and shelter. It’s nice to think football really can change the world, even if just in a small way.”
Head of Oxfam Scotland, Judith Robertson, added: “I want to thank everyone who played in, organised, or simply came along to watch the match. It was a fantastic night’s entertainment, and a reminder of the real difference football can make in the world.
“People have been really generous, and that money will make a real difference to families living in East Africa, providing the kind of things that it is difficult sometimes to imagine ever living without.”
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