Charity Football Tournament In Wigan
Mon 20th May 2013 | General | By Ian Templeman
Wigan Robin Park supporter and former Robins Programme Editor Andy Vaughan is inviting teams to take part in an open age football tournament in Wigan this coming weekend, which will raise funds for the Arouna Kone Foundation.
Arouna Koné is an Ivory Coast international who has been starring for Wigan Athletic in the Premiership this season. Koné represented Côte d'Ivoire, as his country is known, in the 2006 World Cup, as well as three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Although he has played in six countries, he has never forgotten his roots and in 2007 he set up the Arouna Kone Foundation, with the aim of building a school and hospital in his home district of Abobo in Abidjan, in the Ivory Coast.
Andy is working with Arouna, doing a bit of work for his foundation, and is helping him to publicise the quickly organised competition, as the charity is launched in Britain.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mirror, Arouna explained the reasons behind his decision to set up the charity.
"I set up the foundation in 2007 when I was playing in Belgium”, he said. “Up to now it has been limited to things like vaccinations and buying school books. But now I want to develop it further.
“I want to build a school and a hospital, if that is possible. I feel a responsibility to do what I can. Guilt is perhaps the wrong word to use. But my whole ethos and desire is about giving something back to the Ivory Coast.
"There is a whole underclass where I come from. There are kids in the streets who have to fend for themselves at a very young age. They aren't orphans as such, but their families can't look after them properly and so they basically live on the streets. It's those people I want to help.
“It is too much to think that I can make everyone's life a happy life, but I want to create some kind of framework that just gives these kids a chance to succeed".
The tournament takes place on Sunday 26th May 2013 at the Powerleague Soccerdome in Wigan, between 12 noon and 5 pm. It’s an open age tournament and the competition fee is £50 per team.
There are eight pitches available and all teams will play a minimum of three games. There are trophies and medals for runners-up and winners, along with many, many other prizes for competitors and spectators, including the chance to win a day with Arouna Koné, tickets for future Wigan Athletic matches, and meals for two at some of Wigan's top restaurants.
Arouna and other Wigan Athletic and Premier League players will be present throughout the day to help present the prizes for the football. There will also be raffles and other fundraising events on the day with all proceeds going to Arouna's foundation.
This is a great chance for the whole family to come down to meet Arouna, and help him achieve his dream of building a hospital and school back home in the Ivory Coast. To register your team, for sponsorship opportunities and more information contact Andy Vaughan on 07884 091433.
Charity Football Tournament In Wigan
Mon 20th May 2013 | General
By Ian Templeman
Wigan Robin Park supporter and former Robins Programme Editor Andy Vaughan is inviting teams to take part in an open age football tournament in Wigan this coming weekend, which will raise funds for the Arouna Kone Foundation.
Arouna Koné is an Ivory Coast international who has been starring for Wigan Athletic in the Premiership this season. Koné represented Côte d'Ivoire, as his country is known, in the 2006 World Cup, as well as three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Although he has played in six countries, he has never forgotten his roots and in 2007 he set up the Arouna Kone Foundation, with the aim of building a school and hospital in his home district of Abobo in Abidjan, in the Ivory Coast.
Andy is working with Arouna, doing a bit of work for his foundation, and is helping him to publicise the quickly organised competition, as the charity is launched in Britain.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mirror, Arouna explained the reasons behind his decision to set up the charity.
"I set up the foundation in 2007 when I was playing in Belgium”, he said. “Up to now it has been limited to things like vaccinations and buying school books. But now I want to develop it further.
“I want to build a school and a hospital, if that is possible. I feel a responsibility to do what I can. Guilt is perhaps the wrong word to use. But my whole ethos and desire is about giving something back to the Ivory Coast.
"There is a whole underclass where I come from. There are kids in the streets who have to fend for themselves at a very young age. They aren't orphans as such, but their families can't look after them properly and so they basically live on the streets. It's those people I want to help.
“It is too much to think that I can make everyone's life a happy life, but I want to create some kind of framework that just gives these kids a chance to succeed".
The tournament takes place on Sunday 26th May 2013 at the Powerleague Soccerdome in Wigan, between 12 noon and 5 pm. It’s an open age tournament and the competition fee is £50 per team.
There are eight pitches available and all teams will play a minimum of three games. There are trophies and medals for runners-up and winners, along with many, many other prizes for competitors and spectators, including the chance to win a day with Arouna Koné, tickets for future Wigan Athletic matches, and meals for two at some of Wigan's top restaurants.
Arouna and other Wigan Athletic and Premier League players will be present throughout the day to help present the prizes for the football. There will also be raffles and other fundraising events on the day with all proceeds going to Arouna's foundation.
This is a great chance for the whole family to come down to meet Arouna, and help him achieve his dream of building a hospital and school back home in the Ivory Coast. To register your team, for sponsorship opportunities and more information contact Andy Vaughan on 07884 091433.
