FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.08.2009 12:36

Gates Foundation helps malaria fight

David Saura (special correspondent)

Barça's fight against malaria has won new friends as the Billa & Melinda Gates Foundation has added their name to the coalition called United Against Malaria.

In all three games on their trip to the United States, the Blaugrana players go out on to the pitch donning shirts with the United Against Malaria logo. It is a visible means of promoting the FC Barcelona Fundación's support for the cause that began a year ago with the Malaria No More body.

Global associates

The role of leaders assumed by Barça has seen the commitment of the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Major League Soccer to help campaign against malaria too. But they are not the only organisations that have added their name to support the cause. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, whose headquarters are in Seattle, where Barça are currently staying, are also helping to fight it, as reported in the Seattle Times on Tuesday .

FC Barcelona is part of the new coalition that the Bill & Melinda Gaes Foundation will help and the focus will grow even larger as the World Cup Finals in South Africa are to be used to promote the fight against malaria. Touré Yaya and Seydou Keita are also heavily involved and are delighted to see the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation become involved.

The common goal is clear and has been undertaken by the United Nations: For there to be universal access to mosquito nets in Africa by the end of 2010, with the aim to reduce deaths from the disease to zero in 2015. Barça have contributed by distributing 2,500 nets in Mali and Senegal though the XICS centres there.