UEFA fights for fitness

UEFA is teaming up with the World Heart Federation to promote physical activity and fight obesity.

Core partner
The World Heart Federation has been chosen by UEFA as one of its core partners under the European body's social responsibility portfolio. The programme is aimed at strengthening the health and integrity of both football and society as a whole. The partnership will support the World Heart Federation's mission to promote healthy active lifestyles, to prevent obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Perfect fit
"The World Heart Federation's work promoting a healthy diet and active lifestyle is a perfect fit with UEFA," said William Gaillard, UEFA's director of communications and public affairs. "Both organisations are committed to encouraging more physical activity, especially amongst children. We realised that obesity is a growing issue that threatens health and well-being all around Europe. We're taking the opportunity to help tackle it, especially amongst children.

TV spot
"We already have had a number of initiatives to meet this objective, including the joint European Commission's and UEFA's creation of a Get Active TV spot that encourages people of all ages and abilities to play sport," Gaillard added. "It is being shown across Europe at half-time of UEFA Champions League matches throughout the 2007/08 season."

UEFA support
This formal agreement marks the strengthening of a relationship between the World Heart Federation and UEFA that started in 2003. For example, UEFA has supported World Heart Day, World Heart Federation's major annual global campaign against cardiovascular disease and stroke. The day is staged in 100 countries, involving a wide range of activities and reaching hundreds of millions of people, including football-related events organised by UEFA member associations.

Worrying sign
"We're delighted to be formalising our relationship with UEFA to promote physical activity and sport, especially amongst the young," added Dr Pekka Puska, president-elect for the World Heart Federation. "There are 155 million overweight and obese children in the world today with this figure looking set to rise - a very worrying sign for the future risk of heart disease and stroke amongst adults.

Media interest
"UEFA has helped bring major football stars into the World Heart Day campaign, including Fabio Cannavaro, Steven Gerard and Gérard Houllier," he added. "This has helped to raise considerable media interest across the world, and we very much look forward to building on this success."

Preventing heart disease
The World Heart Federation is a non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. It is comprised of 195 member societies of cardiology and heart foundations from over 100 countries covering the regions of Asia-Pacific, Europe, East Mediterranean, the Americas and Africa. For further information visit www.world-heart-federation.org.

Social responsibility
UEFA's social responsibility portfolio provides for a number of core partnerships with trusted partners that UEFA will help to spread essential messages. Through its preservation of widespread popular access to football, the European football family contributes significantly to health and social cohesion in Europe. UEFA enhances and builds upon this role with its own help for activities that, in particular, address social issues connected to football.

Football and society
The UEFA football and social responsibility programme is aimed at strengthening the health and integrity of both football and society as a whole. UEFA's motto is "We Care About Football" - but European football's governing body cares about much more than just the game. UEFA has set up partnerships with organisations addressing specific issues - including racism, reconciliation and peace, football for all, violence and humanitarian aid. It also makes ad hoc contributions and awards a deserving body its annual CHF1m charity cheque at the Monaco events which kick-off each European club competition season.