It’s a tense time of the season as teams battle for promotion, European qualification, trophies and leagues and, of course, against relegation. Some teams might be losing their cool at this most crucial stage, Arsenal notwithstanding, and others might maintain the resolve required to succeed, an attitude most recently expressed at Old Trafford and the Nou Camp.
But while managers and fans gnaw their fingernails down to the skin, I thought it a good idea to put these pressures in to perspective. A growing number of footballers have shown remarkable social responsibility over the past few years by giving back to the society which developed their young talents. Most African stars, who came from humble and difficult beginnings, seek to reward their hometown communities, and often countries, from the vast earnings they have received playing in Europe and here is a list of the top ten African footballing philanthropists…
Didier Drogba:
The Ivorian striker has perhaps given more back to his country than any other footballer and is the personification of peace in his west African country. Drogba donates almost all of his earnings from endorsement to charity and recently gave away over £4 million he received from Pepsi. The money will be used to build a hospital and an orphanage in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan and has used his influence to stop five years of continuous conflict in the Ivory Coast
Michael Essien:
The midfielder is renowned for his uncompromising style on the pitch but he has a soft spot for the less fortunate than him. He set up the Michael Essien Foundation to raise funds to give the underprivileged of his home town in Ghana access to basic amenities like healthcare equipment, libraries, public toilets and clean drinking water and is also involved in the work of several other charities.
John Utaka:
The Super Eagles and former Portsmouth forward launched the John Utaka Foundation to develop Nigerian youths at grassroots level. He provides scholarships with the help of the Central Bank of Nigeria and stated at the opening of his foundation: “I believe that giving back to the society is very essential because I was in the system before I travelled abroad where I started playing my professional football.”
Nwankwo Kanu:
As one of the most decorated African footballers, the Nigerian icon is arguably almost as famous for his philanthropic work in his home continent as he is for his goal-scoring in Europe. The Kanu Heart Foundation was established following the former Arsenal striker’s near-death experience due to a heart defect. He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and has arranged for over one thousand children to travel abroad for life-saving surgery.
Aaron Mokoena:
The South African captain is known for his humanitarian qualities above his football skills, and has done a great deal for various charities and foundations, as well as setting up his own foundation in his home country, South Africa. He is also one of the major personalities involved with the ‘1Goal’ initiative, and is often seen giving his time to those less fortunate.
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Samuel Eto’o:
The Cameroonian is involved with a number of causes. The Inter striker set up several scholarship programs, donated ambulances and has been involved with the building of hospitals and setting up football academies. Eto’o is regularly involved in charity games to aid the poor in Africa.
Mohamed Aboutrika:
The Egyptian striker has participated in several charities and humanitarian work. He joined UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors plus 40 international football stars in 2005 for a ‘Match Against Poverty’ in Germany to raise funds. He volunteered to appear in a public service announcement for the World Food Program in which he drew attention to the tragic fact that 25,000 people die from hunger every day, 18,000 of them children and is also a WFP Ambassador Against Hunger.
John Paintsil:
The Fulham full-back recently set up the Paintsil Peace Kids Project with the intention of encouraging children to better themselves. The Foundation promotes respectful values and guides young children towards the path of success. It holds regular football clinics to teach underprivileged children these principles and the defender recently donated £20,000 to his hometown, Berekum.
Stephen Appiah:
The Ghana midfielder set up StepApp, a clothing range designed by Appiah, a few years ago. All proceeds are channeled into his StepApp Foundation, a charity that works towards providing health insurance and medical facilities in deprived areas of Ghana. He is also active with the UN children’s fund to promote education in Africa.
Joseph Yobo:
The Everton defender has, through his Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, granted more than 300 educational scholarships to the poor, ranging from primary school right up to university. He also assisted the establishment of a football academy in the country’s Ogoni region.
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