Brazilian soccer legend Pele this week used his enduring popularity to help raise funds for Let’s Play, a SuperSport social responsibility initiative geared at encouraging children to take part in sport to avoid health problems associated with obesity.
On his third visit to South Africa, Pele teamed up with Emperors Palace Hotels and Front Foot at a fund-raising banquet on Wednesday.
Among the special guests invited to the event were 2010 local organising committee chairperson Tokyo Sexwale, 2010 World Cup bid CEO Danny Jordan and soccer legend Jomo Sono.
Organisers said autographed memorabilia donated by the Brazilian raised at least R150 000 at auction.
”Sport is the easiest way of getting kids off the streets and away from drugs. It is the easiest way of educating [children] and building respect,” Pele said at a media conference.
On the current ill-discipline in the game, Pele said: ”I think a good player comes from a good man. When I won the World Cup with Brazil for the first time as 17-year-old, my father asked me if I was happy and I said yes. He then said: ‘Football is a gift from God and from now on do good with that gift’.”
Pele said African countries would only succeed if they could get ”more players with overseas experience, preferably in Europe”.