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Sports hero commends USAID efforts in Egypt and calls on
celebrities to come together and lend their support to programs
that help people improve their lives.
CAIRO, March 14th, 2007. Over 100 representatives from print
and broadcast media attended a press conference announcing
Ismaileya’s native son Captain Ossama Khalil’s position as
Goodwill Ambassador for Egypt’s “Sahetak, Sarwetak” (Your Health
is Your Wealth) campaign.
“Many of the things affecting our health are related to our own
behaviors, so they are in our hands to change. This is the
message of Sahetak, Sarwetak, and why I am joining the
campaign,” said Captain Ossama.
H.E. Abdel Minem Omara, former governor of Ismaileya and former
minister of youth and sports, joined Taher El Sheikh—Captain
Ossama’s peer in Ahli Club, and Kamel Darwish, former Chair of
Zamalek Club and Chair of the Physical Education College, in
congratulating Captain Ossama. “Captain Ossama is an excellent
choice because is well-known and has always been an active
citizen in serving youth,” said H.E. Abdel Minem. “We need more
Egyptian sports celebrities to follow his example.”
The podium was crowded with microphones including those from
Orbit, Nile TV, Nile Sports, Qantar Masriya, Channel 7, and
Youth and Sports Radio. Sports editors and reporters from
newspapers Masr El Yom, El Dostour, Al Ahram, Gil El Ghad, Al
Akhbar, and El Naz magazine also competed for interview time
with Captain Ossama. The sports section is among the most
widely-read sections of newspapers in Egypt. Captain Ossama’s
appointment as Goodwill Ambassador reflects CHL’s recognition of
the important role of the media in spreading the messages of
Sahetak, Sarwetak, and supports the concept of the people
themselves acting as ambassadors of their own health.
 “I
want to help get the message out to our youth that nutrition and
exercise are a part of correct thinking. It is our
responsibility to protect our health, and I call on my
colleagues in the sports and media fields to join me in donating
their time to serve the community.”
The Sahetak, Sarwetak campaign is implemented by USAID’s
Communication for Healthy Living (CHL) project with the Ministry
of Health and Population and Ministry of Information-State
Information Services with the goal of improving health in Egypt.
CHL’s national campaigns carry behavior change messages on
family planning and reproductive health, maternal and child
health, infectious diseases including avian influenza, HIV/AIDS,
and hepatitis, and healthy lifestyles. Technical assistance is
provided by USAID through The Johns Hopkins University/Health
Communication Partnership.
Captain Ossama Khalil is a high-profile and much-revered
sports hero on a national, regional, and international level,
and a frequent sports commentator in the media. He played on the
champion Ismaeli Football Club team in the 1970s, and holds the
record as the top scoring player of the Ismaeli Club, scoring 86
goals during his 10 years with them. He was a member of Egypt’s
first national team and went on to be recruited by the USA when
it formed the North American Soccer League. |
