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Generation Amazing, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy's (SC) flagship CSR programme, organised for young leaders from across Asia to attend the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and participate in a range of football for development activities.
The delegation spent a week in Russia where they attended a match, took part in leadership workshops and participated in various sporting activities. They also attended the FIFA Foundation Festival.
One of the highlights of the trip, which involved 16 Generation Amazing youth ambassadors from Qatar, India and the Philippines, was a sport for development activity organised in collaboration with CSKA Moscow basketball team. Representatives from Best Buddies Russia also joined in the fun at the CSKA Basketball Arena, along with sporting legends from the worlds of football and basketball.
Former France international Florent Malouda was part of the football legends' line-up, alongside former Argentina forward Javier Saviola, ex-England striker Stan Collymore, Qatar's Ibrahim Khalfan and Bora Milutinovic, the only man to coach five nations at the FIFA World Cup finals. Basketball stars Ivan Edeshko, an Olympic champion in 1972, and long-time CSKA Moscow player Dmitry Minaev, also took part in the activities.
Qatari ambassador Maha al Badr thoroughly enjoyed the trip and praised the impact Generation Amazing is making. She said:"It was amazing, I am so proud to be part of this programme. I like the way it uses football as a force for good both for individuals and communities.
"It allows me to give back some of what Qatar has given me in these past years. I am so excited about the 2022 World Cup and I know that we can make it a wonderful event."
Indian ambassador Pallavi Shyamsunder highlighted the impact the programme is already making in her community."Generation Amazing brings social change to our communities," said Shyamsunder."It is bringing together organisations which develop people's life skills. I am working with over 150 children in my community, and when I go back to India I will use the skills I've learnt in Russia and pass the lessons on to the children I work with."
Meanwhile, for Ronalyn Lagata, from the Philippines, said, the workshops helped her develop vital life skills.
"It is my first time at a World Cup, and I've been so inspired," said Lagata."I particularly liked the leadership workshops. The group has been fantastic and from so many different backgrounds. Generation Amazing really helps to bring us all together."
Saviola, who played for Argentina at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, said he was proud to support Generation Amazing.
"Some of these kids come from difficult circumstances and it made us feel very proud to be here and join them with Generation Amazing," said Saviola.
"The important thing is that they enjoyed themselves, and that they can take important lessons and values from us, such as education and humility. I hope that in the future they can take what we transmitted to them today back to their communities."
