MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 08:36:17| >> :600:182685279:182685279:

Drogba and Cafu go head-to-head in game with Special Olympics athletes

The pair were appearing at one of the 2019 World Games' many Unified Sports Experiences.

Premier League legend Didier Drogba and World Cup hero Cafu played against each another in a unique match at the Special Olympics World Games to celebrate inclusion.

The game, which saw World Games athletes play alongside the football legends, was part of a series of Unified Sports Experiences in Abu Dhabi which are designed to promote inclusion and break down barriers.

Drogba, 41, was the first to join the game, and by the time Cafu, 48, arrived there were almost 250 international caps-worth of experience on the pitch.

Both players have won the Champions League – Drogba with Chelsea and Cafu with AC Milan – and both showed signs of their quality during the game.

At one point Drogba looked sure to spark a goal for his side, only for the double World Cup-winning Brazilian to make a tackle.

This was only the second of many Unified Sports Experiences planned during the Games, which involves athletes with intellectual disabilities.

"The importance is to show these kids how important they are in front of all society," Cafu told the Press Association.

"I hope the inspiration will be for these kids who will have the opportunity to see me and Drogba together like this in the Special Olympics.

"I hope we can give great motivation to these kids."

Didier Drogba participates in a Unified Sports Experience in Abu Dhabi
(Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019)

Drogba said: "Since I retired from football, this is the first time that I have played here in the UAE and it felt really good.

"I'm inspired by joining and meeting the Special Olympic athletes. This is a life lesson for me and they have chosen us to be in their team.

"Sports is so powerful for bringing people together. I want to say to everyone that we should all support People of Determination today and promote togetherness and tolerance."

NFL stars will give an American football clinic during the Games, while Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix is set to give a sprint clinic as part of the initiative.

Great Britain meanwhile claimed their first gold medals of the Games the day after the opening ceremony, with Ciaran Kelly and the relay team triumphant in Dubai.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Max McLean, Press Association');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'dd803a95-00f8-409c-9b4d-60dbc00b8e90');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', null);
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Drogba and Cafu go head-to-head in game with Special Olympics athletes'});

ID:353581: cacheID:353581:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7278:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sports Mole logo
Read Next:
IPC set to lift RPC ban despite failure to fulfil key aspect of its criteria
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!