Soccer legend John Barnes gives backing to Score Ethiopia campaign

FORMER England football star John Barnes is urging young footie fanatics across Birmingham to help provide much-needed sports facilities for children in Africa.

The ex-Liverpool winger has linked up with Score Ethiopia to ask primary school youngsters to design a football kit for their school team – which will then be exchanged with one designed by a school in Ethiopia.

John said: “Ethiopia is still one of the world’s five poorest countries, yet even in the face of adversity, one passion that its people share is football.

“So, we’re asking kids across Birmingham to combine their love of the beautiful game with a splash of flair and imagination by designing a football kit for a school in Ethiopia. In the meantime, kids of the same age in Ethiopia will be doing exactly the same thing.”

He added: “Children in this country still have a need for new equipment. Designing a kit puts both UK and Ethiopian schools on a level playing field as a gift exchanged between communities at different ends of the world.

“It will also provide an education and understanding between the children of each country as schools in both countries will receive education packs giving an introduction to culture, ethos and community living.”

Winning schools will be treated to a visit by their Ethiopian counterparts and John to exchange the two kits.

Nadine Ifill, of St Augustine’s Catholic Primary in Handsworth, saw her football kit design win last year’s Score Ethiopia competition. It is now being enjoyed by pupils from Feleg Abiyot Ele School in Lalibela, Ethiopia.

The competition is organised by shampoo company Wash & Go.

Any schools wishing to take part should contact the Score Ethiopia hotline on 0161 828 5400.