SATUC World Cup
July 15, 2015
Sheikha Al Thani | International soccer stars gather for Ramadan celebration of football and philanthropy
CAIRO 7 July 2015 – In a feast of soccer and celebration in front of a star-studded crowd of 300 specially invited guests, the leading children’s charity SATUC has launched the 2015 SATUC Cup at a glittering Ramadan Suhoor party in Cairo.
The glittering event held in the outskirts of the Egyptian capital gave a flavour of the forthcoming soccer spectacular the 2015 SATUC World Cup to be held this August and encapsulated the passion and commitment of SATUC founder Sheikha Al Thani and her hopes and dreams for the underprivileged children of the world.
Staged on the football pitch and in the grand ballroom of the Mövenpick Hotel in Cairo’s October 6 District, the evening started with a hard-fought six-a-side soccer match between young players from Egypt and Syria, battling it out for the SATUC Ramadan Suhoor trophy. Although the Syrians played skilfully and courageously, the honours of the evening went to the home team which scored a spectacular 5-0 victory.
The match and the opening ceremonies, which included the playing of the Egyptian, Syrian and SATUC anthems, were held in the presence of one of the largest gatherings of Middle Eastern and global football legends ever seen in Egypt.
Their presence as SATUC “Ambassadors” was a testament to the strength of the SATUC ideal and its ability to reach across borders. Former international captains and players from several eras of the game’s recent history included Ahmed Alkass, Ahmed Naji, Ahmed Shobair, Nader Alsyed, Ahmad Hasan, Muhammad Farooq, Hazem Emam, Wael Riad, Hassan Shehata, Shawki Gharib, MR Adli Alqiei, Rabah Madjer, Aziz Bouderbala, Abdullah Khokir, Said Owairan, Ahmed Hayel, Zaid, Abdullah Traore, Ali Kamikh, Khaled Al-Abdullah and Hussein Yasser Mohammadi. Many of the leading players spoke movingly of their commitment to the SATUC ideal and their determination to spread the word of the charity’s mission throughout their own countries and beyond.
Among other VIP guests and media stars, including Professor Khaled Salah, editor of Youm 7, the media sponsor of the tournament, the evening was also honoured with the presence of representatives of the Egyptian Government, Deputy Minister Ashraf Sohbi and Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity Mr Aladdin Aa’ati, who, along with several of the soccer stars spoke out strongly in praise of the SATUC Cup and its aims, and the vision of Princess Sheikha Al-Thani.
The SATUC Cup Ramadan Suhoor was intended as a curtain-raiser for the 2015 SATUC World Cup to be held 28 Aug-3 Sept in Cairo, comprising teams from Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Algeria, Mauritania, the UK, the Philippines and Cote d’Ivoire. Intended as a biennial event, the event will bring underprivileged children from challenging backgrounds together for a unique celebration of sporting prowess, designed to offer
After wishing everyone assembled “Ramadan Kareem”, in her speech, Sheikha Al-Thani said:
“We at SATUC believe passionately in the power of sport to bring young people together and to transform sometimes difficult lives. Through their endeavours, their teamwork and their sportsmanship, young people who face many challenges have the chance to reach for the stars.\
“I think we have seen some of that star quality on display tonight, and have got a sense of the power I am talking about. Supported by our amazing international team of Ambassadors, and under the eyes of professional talent scouts, our hopes are that the raw talent and dedication of our players will lead, via the SATUC Cup to a brighter future.”
Thanking the guests for attending the special occasion in the Holy month of Ramadan, Princess Sheikha, who celebrated her 16th birthday at the event, also gave special thanks to SATUC’s partners, including Fairmont Heliopolis and Towers, Egypt Air, ACE Insurance, travel company Travco, and the makers of the high-quality kit to be worn by the participants, 14 Promotions of London.
The event coincided with the start of a major city-wide billboard advertising campaign in Cairo for the SATUC World Cup.
For further information about SATUC and the 2015 SATUC World Cup contact Colin Donald, press officer at +44 7793 606901 info@satuc.org, or via the website www.satucfootballcup.org
About SATUC: Founded in 2013 by Sheikha Al-Thani, SATUC aims to help underprivileged children by harnessing their raw potential in areas such as football, art and other useful activities. It encourages and empowers underprivileged individuals to fill their spare time productively by taking up sports or focusing on education as a positive step on their path of personal development. The organisation looks to promote the idea of charitable work as the norm throughout the world.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Arman Isagaliev received an official written invitation from SATUC to host the 2020 World Orphans Championship in Kazakhstan. What we would need now is to have further talks to finalise all matters related to the organisation of this event which has become a major event, attracting huge coverage from media outlets around the world.
In 2014 SATUC hosted the first football tournament for orphans in Egypt and the Arab world with the participation of 16 civil associations in 6 Egyptian governorates.
About Sheikha Al-Thani: Sheikha founded SATUC in 2014 at the age of only 14. Growing up between Egypt, the UK, and the US, from a very young age she was deeply affected by all the unnecessary suffering in the world.
From her earliest childhood, she felt a natural responsibility to help the most vulnerable members of society and to protect those who could not look after themselves. In her bid to raise awareness and offer her support Sheikha has already engaged in charitable work in places as far afield as Malawi, the Philippines, and Sudan to name but a few. Despite her travels, Sheikha has always been acutely aware that charity begins at home and has devoted a lot of her time to projects closer to her bases in London and Cairo. It is Sheikha’s personal goal and SATUC’s mission to eliminate social injustice and poverty from the world and to provide a brighter future for the most disadvantaged children.
SATUC is a charity registered in Egypt: Sheikha Al-Thani for Underprivileged Children Charity. REG: 9735 and registered as a limited company in the UK, No.08694198, with charitable status pending.