AP Photo/Martin Meissner
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A solar energy company is not only one of the main sponsors of the 2010 World Cup, it has just pledged to provide solar power to another cool thing about this year's World Cup: a campaign dubbed 20 Centres for 2010.
FIFA partnered with social development network streetfootballworld to spearhead the Football for Hope movement that aims to open 20 centers across Africa—the first six will be in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Mali, Namibia and Ghana—to promote public health, education, and football in disadvantaged communities. From the campaign website: "By using the positive elements of football, many locally run organisations have been successful in reaching young people and addressing such challenges."
The whole idea is to use the game for positive social change. Now Yingli Solar has stepped in and expanded the initial ambition to "Football for Hope. Energy for Hope," with the promise of supplying all 20 centers with solar installations that could power pitch lighting, computers or study rooms.
The CEO of Yingli Solar said the company is engaged in community-focused projects around the world, with the goal "to make solar power a sustainable and cost-effective energy for the world."
Federico Addiechi, the head of Corporate Social Responsibility for FIFA, said after hearing the news, "We want to commend Yingli Solar on their commitment to helping us build a better future, which is a fundamental pillar of our organisation. This is truly the beginning of a sunny legacy in Africa."
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