Didier Drogba, football legend, was today appointed Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization for Sport and Health. Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Drogba will assist the organization in promoting its guidelines on the benefits of physical exercise and other healthy lifestyles, and in highlighting the value of sports, especially among youth.

Mr. Drogba, renowned for his football career at Chelsea and having been named African Player of the Year twice (2006 and 2009), has long been involved in various health campaigns, including promoting healthy lifestyles, combating malaria, and HIV/AIDS.

"I am honored to team up with the World Health Organization and support its efforts to help people, especially youth from all countries, achieve the highest possible level of health," said Mr. Drogba at WHO Headquarters in Geneva upon his appointment. "I have directly benefited from the benefits of sports to lead a healthy life, and I am committed to working with WHO to share these benefits worldwide."

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, praised Mr. Drogba not only as a football legend but also as a committed advocate for health and sustainable development. He further added that the support Mr. Drogba brings to WHO can help reduce the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases by promoting healthy lifestyles and emphasizing the benefits of physical exercise and sports for all.

"Didier is an undisputed champion who has made a difference both on and off the field," said Dr. Tedros. "We are delighted that he is joining our team and helping communities worldwide achieve goals and score points through sports, for their physical and mental health and well-being. He will also support the international community's efforts to promote sports as an essential tool for improving physical and mental health and social well-being for all, including contributing to recovery efforts post-COVID-19."

Current estimates suggest that four out of five adolescents and one in four adults worldwide do not engage in sufficient physical activity. Increased physical inactivity also has negative impacts on health systems, the environment, economic development, community well-being, and quality of life. Regular physical activity, especially through sports, helps lower blood pressure and mitigate the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various types of cancer (e.g., breast and colon cancer).

Mr. Drogba's appointment as WHO Goodwill Ambassador was announced during a ceremony held to launch the "Healthy 2022 World Cup - Creating Legacy for Sport and Health" partnership between Qatar's Ministry of Public Health, its Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, WHO, and FIFA, the world football governing body.

Mr. Drogba thus joins other WHO ambassadors including Brazilian footballer Alisson Becker; Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-time Mayor of New York City; Cynthia Germanotta, President of the Born This Way Foundation; and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.