ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 8 • 23 April - 6 May 2010
Once in a life-time chance
NELSPRUIT
A dream has come true for nine-year-old Jameela Alli from Mpumalanga, who has been chosen from thousands of children worldwide to be a McDonald's Player Escort during the Fifa World Cup.
“I am happy that my name will be recorded in the history of the country and I'm even happier that I will get to watch the games live. I cannot wait for the experience of the attention from the crowds as I hold hands with the players,” said the Grade 4 pupil from Lekazi Primary in KaNyamazane, who will accompany players on to the field at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Jameela participated in a live call-in programme on Ligwalagwala FM during which children between the ages of six and 10 could call the station to answer a soccer-related question.
“I correctly said who coaches Bafana Bafana and I also had to say why I wanted to be a McDonald's player escort. I told the presenter that I wanted my name to be part of the 2010 history,” said Jameela, who can hardly wait for the experience.
“I'm going to greet the players with a broad smile as a way of welcoming them in my province and country,” she said.
Her father, Bhashini Alli, is equally excited.
“She is a good child. As her parents we are proud of her and the chance to escort players from overseas is amazing,” he said.
Alli has bought 10 World Cup tickets for his family, including his 62-year-old mother, Gladys Mnguni.
The McDonalds Player Escort recruitment campaign, which selected children from all the participating countries, started in January. The winners were drawn on March 23 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
The 1 408 children will receive training from the class of 2009, who carried out their McDonald's Player Escort duties during the Confederations Cup.
They will travel to the matches with a parent or guardian and those from abroad will enjoy flights, accommodation, sightseeing tours and meals all courtesy of McDonalds.