President of Zambia joins the Spirit of Football

President Rupiah Banda of Zambia has given his mark of approval to the Spirit of Football by kicking and signing The Ball on the steps of State House, days before this special Alive & Kicking ball reached South Africa. He told the nation’s press that he and his ministers were “very happy that young people thought of this idea of taking The Ball around Africa. It makes us all feel part of the game.”

The Ball’s inaugural kick took place on January 24th at Battersea Park, 10,000 miles away from South Africa, its intended final destination and home of the 2010 World Cup. Kicked, headed, and at times cradled by Chrisitan Wach, Andrew Aris and Phil Wake of The Spirit of Football, The Ball has been met with an intrigue and excitement that has united hundreds and thousands of people across Africa. It has been signed by virtually everyone to have touched it, from Presidents to market stall men and street children.

Throughout the journey, The Spirit of Football have not only celebrated the beautiful game but also emphasised the significance of The Ball being African: made in Africa, by Africa, for Africa. It revisited its birthplace, Alive & Kicking Kenya, where it was repaired by Bernard Ongera the man who originally stitched it. The Ball was also later patched up by Alive & Kicking Zambia, and so arrived in Cape Town as a uniquely Kenyan and Zambian fusion of labour and leather.

To enable African youth to play football like millions around the globe, replicas of The Ball are being donated to Special Olympics programmes in South Africa. You can show your support by donating now.

Watch a YouTube clip about the launch

Read about the whole trip on theball.tv