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Coronavirus: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal in FIFA-WHO-UN campaign

Published at :April 7, 2020 at 8:16 PM
Modified at :April 11, 2020 at 12:27 AM
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Rohan Philip


The Kolkata rivals will feature in the initiative along with several other clubs across the world.

In a recent announcement, FIFA has confirmed that they have joined forces with the United Nations and the World Health Organization to introduce the #BeActive campaign amid the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign was launched in lieu of the UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in an attempt to encourage people to stay fit and healthy while under self-isolation, as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign will feature several top clubs across the world including Indian outfits Mohun and East Bengal. Apart from the two fierce Kolkata rivals, the campaign shall also include the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Liverpoo and Manchester United. It aims at clubs with the fiercest of rivalries asking their fans to come together during this time of need and support each other in this fight.

The WHO recommends 30 minutes of daily physical exercise for healthy adults and 60 minutes for children. The #BeActive campaign includes the following suggestions to stay active and healthy at home: • Taking some online exercise classes, • Dancing, • Playing active video games, • Jumping rope, and • Practising muscle strength and balance training.

“We are delighted that football is strongly supporting the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace by asking everyone to #BeActive and to remain healthy at home during this difficult time,” said António Guterres Secretary General of the United Nations.

“FIFA has asked the football community, from member associations and clubs, to players and fans, to show their support, to put their rivalries aside and to show a new solidarity so we can overcome the coronavirus. This is an important lesson not only for today, but for every day.”

“More than ever, especially now, one thing must be clear to everyone, health comes first,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“FIFA is delighted to support both the United Nations and the World Health Organization in amplifying the #BeActive campaign today. We are encouraged that the football community is also playing an active role in ensuring the message understood globally. For the first time ever, we are all on the same team and together, with team spirit and positive energy, we will win.”

“The WHO is proud to collaborate as part of the UN family with FIFA and football lovers worldwide to promote the importance of being active for both physical and mental health,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization.

“The #BeActive campaign supports WHO’s drive to help people be healthy at home," he added.

Moreover, Club América, CD Guadalajara, Beijing Guoan FC, Shanghai Shenhua FC, Melbourne City FC, Sydney FC, Auckland City FC, Team Wellington FC, CA River Plate, Olympique de Marseille, TP Mazembe, CR Flamengo and SE Palmeiras will also join the initiative in the coming days.

Previously, Indian football legends Sunil Chhetri and Bhaichung Bhutia had also featured in a similar campaigns by the FIFA and AFC respectively, as the world rallies together in a way that it has never done before.

As part of the #BeActive campaign, famous players share the following message: “At this time, even rivals need to stick together. We have to keep our distance, but we do not lose our focus. We can show solidarity by being active and active means following the guidelines from the WHO.”

The video campaign will be launched across all FIFA platforms and will be continuously updated as more players and clubs join the campaign. Last month, the World Health Organization and FIFA collaborated for the “Pass the message to kick out the coronavirus” campaign to share effective measures to prevent the spread of the deadly contagion.

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