London will take its place as an Official City for Peace, when the programme and honour is bestowed on the capital at the Inaugural Football for Peace Ball, which is in aid of the two year programme. Football for Peace (FfP), a United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) backed initiative, which seeks to unite people and communities through football.
Four professional London football clubs have partnered in the 'City for Peace' London project to unite London post the tragic events which have occurred over the past 18th months. The project will be launched at the Football for Peace Ball which is supported by the City of London and will be hosted by HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan.
The glittering black tie is themed Football Diplomacy and will take place at 6.30pm on Friday, 17th November 2017 at the Iconic Guildhall in London, with royal patronage, plus countless diplomats, football legends, celebrities, corporate leaders and many Football for Peace supporters coming together to support and raise funds for the ongoing movement.
On the evening, Football for Peace will announce the launch of their 'City for Peace' London youth project and will also be honouring footballers and their mothers who have made an outstanding contribution to society through their philanthropic ventures. Ronaldinho and his mother, Dona Miguelina Eloi Assis dos Santos, and Didier Drogba and his mother, Clotilde Drogba, are just some who will be recognised on the evening.
"Through the unspoken and universal language of football, we transcend boundaries, religious and cultural differences," Kashif Siddiqi, footballer and Co Founder of Football for Peace said.
"Our mission is to use the beautiful game to create greater understanding amongst communities. The London Ball and programme is gaining support from leaders in the football and diplomatic space, helping the movement speak to an audience which can help our delivery in the areas needed."
Siddiqi, who has historically been hosted by Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2015 and 2016 for his support and blessings gives all the credit to his own mother for his inspiration behind the charity. He believes other footballers mothers should be commended the same way.
