Laureus

A s a Global Partner, Mercedes-Benz has
supported the Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation since its creation in 2000 and this
year Mercedes-Benz developed a special
campaign, together with their brand ambassador Franz
Beckenbauer, called ‘Football Boots for Rio’.
German football legend Franz made some dreams come
true for the young people as he brought a group of famous
friends with him, including Laureus Academy Member
Boris Becker and Ambassadors Jens Lehmann, Axel Schulz,
Sabine Christiansen, Ole Bischof and Michael Teuber – plus
a brand new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, filled with sports
equipment.
Franz Beckenbauer and legendary Brazilian footballer Carlos
Alberto teamed up to present the Sprinter to the former
Brazilian soccer player Jorginho, who is the Patron of Bola
pra Frente. In an area of almost 12,000 square metres,
Bola pra Frente is working with street children between the
ages of six and 17. Soccer is used as a method to support
the children. They learn important things like team-spirit,
discipline, respect and strength of purpose and they finally
experience recognition for their achievements and effort.
This is what helps them in their daily fight against poverty,
discrimination and violence.
OPPOSITE: LAUREUS ACADEMY MEMBER FRANZ BECKENBAUER IN FRONT OF
THE MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER PACKED WITH FOOTBALL BOOTS
- MERCEDES-BENZ IN RIO -
LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION
- 17 -
“With the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter full of sports equipment,
we have succeeded in making the kids of Bola pra Frente
smile and have made them happy. I want to thank everyone
that made this project happen,” said a happy Franz about
the incredible support he had received.Together with Global
Partner Mercedes-Benz, Franz had asked all Germans to
donate their old football boots. It was their target to fill
the complete Sprinter with used shoes by the time of the
Laureus World Sports Awards.
The response was overwhelming: children and parents, old
and young football players, as well as stars and football
professionals sent in their shoes. Even whole sport clubs
were supporting the project as a team. Over 1,300 pairs of
football boots were sent to Mercedes-Benz and at the end
they were able to fill up the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. They
reached their goal and the boots were exchanged for brand
new sports equipment which was given to the project.
That is why Franz Beckenbauer was delighted to fulfil his
promise: he personally handed over the Sprinter to Bola pra
Frente and achieved his personal goal to make the children
smile. Franz said: “All the people of Germany that donated
their old football boots made this generous present possible.
I thank them.”
ABOVE: OLE BISCHOF, FRANZ BECKENBAUER, MICHAEL TEUBER AND
CHRISTA KINSHOFER WITH PARTICIPANTS FROM LAUREUS-SUPPORTED
PROJECT BOLA PRA FRENTE