The international football federation (FIFA) has announced a new movement: Football for Hope. According to General Secretary Sepp Blatter, "FIFA supports organizations that consciously use the appeal and attraction of football to promote social development, education, health and integration. Using the world's favorite sport as the common denominator, we address issues such as landmines in Cambodia, homelessness in England, ethnic conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina and HIV/AIDS education in South Africa, working alongside global corporations and development institutions."

Among the organizations FIFA supports is Grassroot Soccer. Using his $1 million in winnings from "Survivor: Africa," former U.S. soccer player Ethan Zohn battles the scourge of Africa: HIV/AIDS. With Dr. Tommy Clark, Zohn co-founded the program that trains professional soccer players to deliver health messages to the kids who idolize them and teach youth and their families how to live HIV-free. Thriving outreaches and partnerships operate throughout the continent. As part of the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa, ground was broken on the first of 20 Football for Hope Centers. The project in Khayelitsha in Cape Town will be managed by Grassroot Soccer.

Awareness and fund-raising campaigns in the United States such as "Lose the Shoes" teach young Americans about this global epidemic and empowers them to get involved in the solution. Working with students from the Loras College physical education and sports studies program, the America's River Soccer Classic is bringing projects like these to the attention of the community. For more information, go to www.grassrootsoccer.org.

For a video on the first-ever 3 v. 3 tournament for Grassroot Soccer in Iowa, go to:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCJZw91LU-s.