The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced African football legend Didier Drogba as the body’s Goodwill Ambassador for Sport and Health.

Drogba’s announcement as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador was made during a ceremony to launch the Healthy 2022 World Cup – Creating Legacy for Sport and Health.

He is expected to promote WHO’s top tips on how physical activity can lead to a healthier and happier life, and also highlight the value of sports, particularly for youths.

During the announcement of Drogba’s new role, the Director-General of the organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, hailed the Chelsea legend as ‘a proven champion and game changer both on and off the pitch’.

The Ivorian is best known internationally for his long and record-setting career at Chelsea, and for having been named African Footballer of the Year in 2006 and 2009.

The former captain of the Ivory Coast national team has participated in various campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles, anti-malaria campaigns, and HIV prevention and control.

‘We are pleased to have him playing on our team, and helping communities worldwide reach and score goals through sports for their physical and mental health and well-being’, the WHO boss said.

On his new WHO role, Drogba said, ‘I have benefited first-hand from the power of sports to lead a healthy life and I am committed to working with WHO to share such gains worldwide’.

According to Ghebreyesus, Drogba will also support the mobilisation of the international community to ‘promote sports as an essential means for improving the physical, mental health and social well-being of all people, including in helping Covid-19 recovery efforts’.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of physical activity. Up to five million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active, according to the global health body.

Source: WHO

Photo source: WHO/Christopher Black