England 2018 following London 2012 blue-print

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

They have chosen Nothemba Bambiso, a 17-year-old from Cape Town, to join David Beckham in giving the book to Blatter.

It echoes the video presentation by London 2012 at its final presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Singapore in July 2005 when a young South African sprinter was the star.

He is filmed dreaming of glory and eventually competing at the Olympics in London in 2012.

Bambiso, who England 2018 claim is a South African football-mad youngster, has been invited to the presentation as part of the official England 2018 delegation after featuring in the bid book as an example of the positive effect English football has had on communities around the world. 

Her presence also demonstrates England’s support for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa next month, they claim.
 
Two other youngsters featured in the bid book, Eddie Afekafe from Manchester and Kadra Ege from London, will also be making the trip.

When London 2012 handed in its bid in November 2005 they used Amber Charles, a 15-year-old basketball player from East London, as their representative to show the diversity of the campaign.
 
The trio of special guests have all benefitted from football and social development programmes run by members of the English football family, such as the Football Association, the Premier League and the Football Foundation, England 2018 claimed.
 
Bambiso, who lives in a children’s home in Cape Town, works with FA’s official charity partner, “Coaching for Hope”, which is also a member of FIFA’s Football For Hope movement, and was one of the coaches involved with the project visited by Beckham in Khayelitsha in December 2009.  
 
Ege, who is a recipient of the “Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service”, moved to England with her family from Somalia when she was eight; and has since represented Chelsea at youth level and set-up a thriving women’s team called Brent Ladies FC which is home to girls from a variety of cultural backgrounds. 

As a result of Ege’s dedication, the club recently received a £1 million grant from the Football Foundation for a new playing facility.  
 
Afekafe, from Manchester, is involved with the Kickz project: a nationwide initiative which provides opportunities to young people from disadvantaged communities to get involved in sport. 

He works in the Manchester City “Football in the Community” programme leading and motivating young people and was the recipient of the 2009 Kickz “Inspiring Young People Award”.     

Andy Anson, the chief executive of England 2018, said: ”We are committed to producing a World Cup that would be good for all of world football and believe that is reflected in our bid book. 

“We want to use the global reach of English football and build on the work that has been done by schemes such as The FA’s International Development Programme and Kickz abroad and at home.

“Over the past decade, the English football family has staged football and social development courses in more than 90 countries around the world. 

“It is significant that Nothemba, Kadra and Eddie are part of the team that hands over the bid book to FIFA President Sepp Blatter as they exemplify the positive affect football can have on individuals. 

“Every day, each of these individuals is using football for good in their community.”
 
Bambiso said: ”Football has played a huge part in my life and it has helped bring enjoyment and confidence to so many of my friends. 

“This trip to Europe is a really exciting opportunity for me as I am going to be meeting so many interesting people in the game. 

“I want to learn as much as I can while I am here and then go home to share the experience with my friends and team mates from Coaching for Hope.”

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