Kaka Dedicates Game to Global Hunger

ROME - May 22/07 - SNS -- Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, knwon to the football world as Kaka, has dedicated his participation in the May 23, 2007 UEFA Champions League Final to the cause of hungry children.

Kaka combines his role as an attacking midfielder for AC Milan and Brazil, with work as an Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

When he steps out onto the field for AC Milan in their match against Liverpool at the Olympic Stadium in Athens tomorrow evening, Kaka will have just two things on his mind: "Obviously, Wednesday night is all about winning the Champions League trophy for AC Milan," he said. "But personally, I also want to dedicate my appearance in the Athens final to the cause of hungry children."

As WFP's youngest Ambassador Against Hunger, Kaka has used his profile as a successful international sportsman to draw attention to the challenge of addressing global hunger.

"As professional footballers, we are very privileged," said Kaka as he prepared for the final in Athens. "From time to time we have a chance to help others because of who we are and what we do. I want to use my position as a WFP Ambassador Against Hunger to make more people aware of the challenges of feeding hundreds of millions of hungry children in some of the poorest, least developed parts of the world."

"It's an incredible asset to have the world's best player in the world's favourite game on our team," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran. "Kaka has shown that he can combine the skills and dedication needed to be at the very top of the game with a commitment to a worthy humanitarian cause."

Kaka's dedication of the Champions League final follows the decision earlier this year, by Paul Tergat, the world marathon record holder -- and another WFP Ambassador Against Hunger -- to dedicate his participation in the 2007 Flora London Marathon to the cause of hungry children.