Special Olympics Africa Partners with Spirit of Football, Alive And Kicking On the "The Ball"

Special Olympics Africa (SOA) has become a partner in an historic journey - The Ball set to take place as a precursor in the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup.

The Ball is not just any ball, it's equivalent to Olympic torch .It is a star of the beautiful game.

Every four years, the Ball kicks off from its" Mount Olympus", Battersea Park in London , England , where the very first game of the modern rules took place in 1864.

The Ball celebrates this movement -the conception modern football, because it gave rise to a common set of rules which enable the whole world to play together.

The Ball's destination is the opening ceremony of 2010 (FIFA) World Cup.

The Ball is played en route to the World Cup in organised games of football, in kick-about and in juggling session. "Anyone can engage with the Ball, sign it, kick it and help it along its way."

The Ball becomes a representative of unity and inclusion in a divided world enriching the World Cup with a symbol that matches the spirit of Olympic flame. As such, it reminds us of the origins of the game, and the spirit in which it can be played at all levels.

In 2010, the Ball will embark on it most ambitious journey yet, a 10,000 mile pilgrimage to South Africa, through West Africa and East Africa.

The Ball will leave from Battersea Park in England, where the very first game of modern rules football took place in 1864. The Ball celebrates this movement -the conception of the modern -because it gave rise to a common set of rules which enable the Whole World to play together.

The Ball will travel through the following countries, France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mai, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Bostwana to arrive in South Africa.

This is the first time that the World Cup is being held in African continent and is being seen as an African event. The Ball will engage with many sectors of African community en route to the World Cup, including Special Olympics programs. The Ball will help to spread our message of inclusion through Special Olympics unified football games and other activities involving Special Olympics as Athletes. The Ball will share these insights and experiences with global audience through a strong media campaign, creating awareness of special Olympic in Africa and globally.

The 2010 journey is to be an incredible grassroots celebration of the power and excitement that football brings to a continent on the way to the world's greatest sporting event. Everyone is invited to play.