By David Gold
December 1 – Didier Drogba has been awarded the Humanitarian in Sport award by Beyond Sport, supported by Virgin Atlantic, recognising the work the Chelsea striker has done with The Didier Drogba Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme.
Beyond Sport celebrate organisations and individuals who drive positive social change through sport, and decided to recognise the forward, who has been an icon in Ivorian society and has also played his part in bringing peace to the country which endured a bloody civil war earlier this year.
In collecting the award, Drogba’s follows the likes of former Congo NBA star Dikembe Mutombo and former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Nick Keller, the Founder of Beyond Sport, said: “Didier has taken an active role in the search for peace in his home country not through obligation, but through choice.
“In a day and age when we are searching more than ever for real heroes in sport, it is an honour to present Didier with this Award.
“Didier clearly understands his position in the world and the opportunity he has to go beyond sport.”
The two time African Footballer of the Year said: “I’m really happy to receive this Award, it means a lot, because we have been trying to help people in my country.
“Everybody knows the war in Ivory Coast has been devastating, and I’m really proud because I’ve been fighting for peace in Africa, and especially in Ivory Coast, where the conflict has been in place for more than ten years.
“If I was a politician my words would touch a part of the people.
“Because I am a sportsman and I am neutral, my message can touch more people.
“Sports, and football, is really fantastic because you can use your voice to send messages and go beyond sport.”
The Beyond Sport summit is coming to Africa, and South Africa specifically, next week, and Drogba praised the fact that the event was coming to the continent.
The Chelsea man pleaded with those fighting in the civil war to lay down their arms following Ivory Coast’s qualification for the 2006 World Cup, leading to a ceasefire, and this was key in his being recognised by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet.
Following the outbreak of violence this year following elections, Drogba joined a Truth, Reconciliation and Dialogue Commission to secure a lasting peace in his homeland.
The Didier Drogba Foundation was created in 2007 to provide support to people across the continent, and fund structures such as the Red Cross and Page Blanche, and it is entirely funded from money Drogba makes from sponsorship deals.
The striker was in 2008 named as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, and more winners of the Beyond Sport Awards will be named during their summit in Cape Town next week.
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