FIFA players partake in challenge to encourage children to exercise

FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Qatar and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) launched the #BringTheMoves challenge, encouraging players at the FIFA World Cup 2022 to meet the celebration challenges presented to them on social media by fans across the globe and encourage youngsters to #BeActive.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on this event: “We know the negative impact on children’s health a lack of exercise can have, and football can use the significant platform of this FIFA World Cup to spread that message in this exciting and engaging way.

“This challenge not only unites children with their heroes but utilises the most digital-ever World Cup to send the message that we all need to be active and drives awareness also for parents that children need 60 minutes of physical exercise a day. At the moment, that is not the case for 80% of adolescents around the world,” he added.

One former player who celebrated hundreds of goals in an illustrious career is former Cote dIvoire striker Didier Drogba, who is now a WHO Goodwill Ambassador. “Being active provides many benefits to everyone, especially for children while they are growing and developing physically, mentally and socially,” said Drogba. “Being active is good for your body and your mind – mental and physical health.”

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is also a WHO Goodwill Ambassador and will be coming to Qatar with Brazil, knows the importance of being in peak condition. He wants to use the focus on the FIFA World Cup to encourage youngsters to #BringTheMoves and get more active.

“I support the Bring the Moves challenge because I really believe kids have to be active,” said the Liverpool goalkeeper. “They need to be active for the good of their future as they are growing up. I can see that we, football players, can be an inspiration for them as well. So, if we can have fun with them and make them move their bodies a little bit, were going to be happy.”