adidas and Right To Play Kick Off Red Ball Movement

adidas and Right To Play Kick Off Red Ball Movement

June 01, 2007

  Using The Power of Sport and Play to Create a Healthier
and Safer World

    PORTLAND, Ore., Jun 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
International humanitarian
organization, Right To Play and adidas have joined forces
to bring the
positive impact of sport and play to children in
disadvantaged communities
around the world. The centerpiece of the program is a
limited edition mini
red ball that goes on sale today at adidas stores worldwide
and on
adidas.com.

    (Photo: http://www.xprn.com/xprn/sa/200706011025.jpg )
    (Photo: http://www.xprn.com/xprn/sa/200706011028.jpg )

    The mini ball is a world cup-style redesign of Right To
Play's
longstanding symbol and will retail for 10 dollars in the
US. As a primary
driver for the awareness initiative, adidas retail
employees will act as
Right To Play ambassadors and the stores will be
transformed to showcase
the work that Right To Play is doing in Africa, Asia and
the Middle East.
All proceeds from the sale of the mini ball will go to
support Right to
Play's projects around the world.

    "In the communities where we work, Right To Play's
red ball is
recognized as a symbol of hope, health and happiness,"
said Olympic legend
and Right To Play President and CEO Johann Koss. "By
buying this special
mini ball, children in this country can give the gift of
laughter, hope and
health to children in need around the world."

    In conjunction with the mini ball initiative, the Adi
Dassler Fund will
provide over 100,000 full size red balls for use in the
more than 20
countries where Right To Play has programs. The red ball
embodies Right to
Play's values -- the best values of sport including
cooperation, respect,
inclusion, integrity and fair play. Written on the red ball
are the words
"Look after yourself, look after one another."
This is the philosophy that
guides Right to Play's work. Through its programs, the
organization strives
to empower individuals to look after themselves and look
after their
communities.

    Additionally, legendary soccer phenom, Zinedine Zidane,
who retired
from international competition last year, is now devoting
much of his time
to working with children and will partner with the Adi
Dassler Fund to be a
key driver of the Right To Play initiative. Over the course
of the year,
Zidane will travel to one of the countries participating in
Right To Play
programs and lending his voice to the movement.

    "I know firsthand the positive impact sport can
have on your life and
the skills and values sport can teach like leadership, team
work,
confidence and perseverance," explained Zidane.
"Together with Right To
Play and the Adi Dassler Fund, I hope to have the
opportunity to share my
love of sports with children around the world and to help
them grow and
learn through the power of sport and play."

    Later in July, adidas and Right To Play will expand the
initiative with
Major League Soccer bringing the program to life in-stadium
and reaching
MLS athletes and fans nationwide.

    "Sport for Development is still a relatively new
area in terms of
global recognition, but with adidas and Zidane on board we
will encourage
people everywhere to join this important movement,"
explained Koss.

    Right To Play

    Right To Play uses specially-designed sport and play
programs to
improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for
children and
communities affected by war, poverty, disease. Working in
both the
humanitarian and development contexts, Right To Play has
projects in more
than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

    Right To Play is the only global-scale implementer of
Sport for
Development and Peace programs and takes an active role in
driving research
and policy development in this area.

    Right To Play was founded by four-time Olympic gold
medalist Johann
Olav Koss.

    Adi Dassler Fund

    The Adi Dassler Fund was formed to give structure and
focus in
realizing the adidas brand vision to make the world a
better place through
our passion for sport. It is a non-profit organization
separate from the
adidas brand, but receives aid in the form of financial and
product
contributions, employee volunteerism, sponsored-athlete
support and
marketing assistance. The Adi Dassler Fund is a tool that
helps employees
to channel their goodwill.

    For more information, please contact:

    Jackie Kane
    Right To Play
    Phone:  [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]

    Kiesha Cochrane                       Andrea Corso
    adidas                                adidas
    Phone: [phone]                   Phone: 
971-234-2213
    Email: [e-mail]     Email: 
[e-mail]