Top football players have joined forces with FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and health experts to raise global awareness and promote simple preventative measures in the fight against Ebola.
Ebola - a disease of humans and other primates caused by ebola viruses - has killed many Africans in the past months; and is yet to have a well-tested cure.
To help fight this deadly disease, the popularity of football and its top players have devised a powerful way to connect with a wide audience and to transmit public health messages.
The “11 against Ebola” campaign, featuring top football stars, promotes 11 simple health messages selected with the help of health experts from Africa, the World Bank Group and the World Health Organisation - who are currently tackling the outbreak in West Africa.
FIFA's Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Jirí Dvorák, MD believes that the unity and bond of football can help reduce this menace in West Africa,
He said: “We doctors have experienced the power of football when it comes to prevention and health, while successfully implementing the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme in 15 African countries as part of the medical legacy of 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Now we are using the same system to tackle Ebola, by presenting simple educational messages to prevent the spread of the disease through the voices of football stars – ‘When football talks, everybody listens’.”
Sepp Blatter, FIFA President, reechoed Dvorák's message when he said : “The popularity of football gives us a unique platform to reach all communities. We hope that football can play its part and that this campaign against Ebola can make a real difference on the ground as the world comes together to fight the virus and to help those living in affected communities.
Barcelona's ace Neymar Jr added that: “It is so important that we get the right information to those affected by the Ebola outbreak. We all hope this positive campaign will improve people’s understanding of the Ebola virus and help us to reduce the chances of it spreading. Let’s all get behind this campaign to help our brothers and sisters in the worst-hit regions. Together, we can beat Ebola.”