By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 20 – Football legends David Beckham and Ruud Gullit, who were briefly together at Los Angeles Galaxy, are spearheading high-profile attempts this week to ensure that FIFA vice-president Jack Warner votes for their country’s bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
Gullit, the President of the joint bid between Holland and Belgium, is travelling to Trinidad and Tobago to take part in an all-stars match on Wednesday (September 22) involving Dutchmen Pierre van Hooijdonk, Aron Winter, Rob Witschge and former Belgian World Cup stars Gilles De Bilde and Gert Verheyen who will take on a local side led by former Glasgow Rangers striker Russell Latapy and managed by Leo Beenhakker, coach of the Soca Warriors when they reached the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
Then, on Sunday (September 26), Beckham will launch a football festival in Trinidad run by his David Beckham Academy and will attend the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup Final in Port-of-Spain.
It will fulfill a long-standing personal commitment to Warner, who is also the President of CONCACAF, by taking his Academy to the islands and provide football and life skills programmes as well as coaching workshops to almost 200 young players and coaches.
The two discussed the proposed project at the FIFA World Cup 2010 final draw in Cape Town last December.
Warner’s vote is seen as being crucial to helping decide the destination of the 2018 World Cup – especially with the United States on the brink of withdrawing from the race to concentrate on the 2022 tournament.
“Trinidad and Tobago have produced some excellent players over the years and the islands are full of young people who love football,” said Beckham, who will be accompanied by England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson and the bid’s international advisor David Dein.
“I am really looking forward to seeing the young girls and boys from all backgrounds and their coaches at my Academy.
“Encouraging young girls to play football has always been an important part of the thinking behind the Academy and it will be great to take this opportunity to also see some of the world’s best young women play in the Under-17 Final.”
Gullit, meanwhile, will also be taking part in a Dutch scheme to provide high-level coach training to 25 officials from Trinidad and Tobago.
The World Coaches project was launched last year by the the Holland/Belgium Bid in Cape Town.
The international programme is aimed at making a lasting contribution to the development of football and communities around the world.
The World Coaches course is a collaboration of the Low Countries Football Associations and the Johan Cruyff Institute, an international university for athletes founded by Cruyff.
Beckham’s new initiative is part of an joint agreement between his Academy and England 2018 to deliver a bespoke football and life skills project in each Confederation each year until 2017 should their bid be successful.
“I am extremely proud and committed to the David Beckham Academy,” said Beckham, who is able to make the trip thanks to a break in his schedule with LA Galaxy, where Gullit was briefly manager before resigning in August 2008.
“The proposal with England 2018 is an exciting one as football is such a great way to inspire and educate young people in so many ways.”
Beckham has already made one trip to Trinidad and Tobago to help try to secure Warner’s vote when he captained England in a friendly there in June 2008.
“I would like to express my thanks to David and his team for arranging this,” said Warner.
“It is heartening to know that a man of such international stature remains committed to the development of talent worldwide.
“This is remarkable opportunity for the 200 participants.
“The fact that despite his busy schedule David has taken the time to open this festival, to share his knowledge with the children is testament to his character.”
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