Football Game for Peace in Honour of Education and Women Rights Activist Malala Yousafzai

Malala story captures hearts in the world of football

Joel Bouzou - President and Founder of Peace and Sport, Diego Maradona
in his role as honorary ambassador of the Dubai Sports Council, as well
 as Elias Figueroa and Kashif Siddiqi representing the Football for
Peace initiative supporting Malala’s foundation

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl shot by extremists whilst defending the right for education of girls, has teamed up with international footballer Kashif Siddiqi to launch a football for peace match between the UAE and Pakistan on world peace day on 21 September 2013 heightening the reach of her cause beyond Pakistan to the world through the global Peace and Sport movement.

Champions for Peace Christian Karembeu and Honey Thaljieh, with Shiza Shahid,
 Malala’s cousin representing her on stage, as well as Elias Figueroa
and  Kashif Siddiqi presenting the Football for Peace initiative commemorative shirt.

The match will be dedicated to Malala and its proceeds will go towards funding the foundation in her name. Kashif Siddiqi announced the game at the Peace and Sport Dubai Forum 2013, a pioneering event held for the first time in the Gulf and Arab region which brought together over 500 decision makers from the worlds of politics, sport and the private sector, to debate solution for peace through the use of sport, under the theme “Building sustainable peace through sport. Together.” Siddiqi praised the role of women in society and particularly his mother’s during his formative years in Pakistan. As a co-founder of the Football for Peace movement he was drawn to Malala’s story and saw her power to be a role model for the next generation of their country and beyond.

Malala, the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize nominee is still unable to travel due to her injuries. She appeared at the Peace and Sport Dubai Forum via a recorded video message thanking the members of the organization and her supporters for their belief in her message for the right for education for women in Pakistan: “thank you so much, for bringing awareness and support of education and equality for girls, through the power of sport, on such a significant day. I look forward to visiting you in Dubai in the very near future and hope to attend the festivities with my family.”