January 18 2006
Kaladze introduced as Georgia's "FIFA for SOS Children's Villages" ambassador
18/01/2006 - Kakha Kaladze, captain of Georgia's national team, was awarded his official "FIFA for SOS Children's Villages" ambassador's certificate in a ceremony at the SOS Children's Village in Tbilisi. Kaladze had visited the children in November 2005 and had promised to return. The children were delighted as Kaladze not only kept his promise, but also pledged his continued support for SOS Children's Villages Georgia.
Zviad Berdzenishvili, director of SOS Children's Villages Georgia, opened the ceremony. In his welcoming address, Berdzenishvili emphasized the value of the co-operation between FIFA and SOS Children's Villages. He presented the ambassador's certificate to Kaladze, who remarked that it was a great honor for him to be named Georgia's first "FIFA for SOS Children's Villages" ambassador.
Kaladze told guests, "I am honoured to be given this wonderful opportunity to somehow contribute to the well-being of my brothers and sisters, the children in SOS Children's Villages Georgia." He added: "Many of my friends are doing the same thing all over the world and I am happy to join them."
Kaladze is the third football player from the Italian Football Club AC Milan - after Andriy Shevchenko and Christian Vieri - to serve as a "FIFA for SOS Children's Villages" ambassador.
The children of SOS Children's Village Tbilisi were informed in advance that their favorite football hero would visit, and were bursting with anticipation and excitement. All the children and youngsters from the children's village in Tbilisi and the SOS Youth Facility, SOS mothers and most of the co-workers attended the ceremony. The children sang, danced and gave a wonderful concert for the guests.
Giorgi Kamladze, a 14-year-old SOS youngster, said, "On behalf of all my brothers and sisters and the friends from SOS Children's Villages Georgia, I'd like to thank Kakha for becoming our friend. I cannot express in words the great importance this has for us. We are very, very happy to enjoy his friendship. Many thanks to everybody who made it possible."
Nodar Akhalkatsi, President of Georgian Football Federation, also attended the event and arrived with Kaladze. A large media contingent from local television stations and newspapers covered the ceremony. A film about the co-operation between FIFA and SOS Children's Villages and the joint charity campaign 6 villages for 2006 was shown.
At the end of the ceremony all of the children received boxes of sweets from the Georgian Football Federation. Kakha Kaladze also brought baskets full of different presents for each SOS family from both of the SOS Children's Villages in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. He also brought autographed T-shirts and footballs, and signed posters for the delighted children.