The story of 14-year-old Luyanda Mdlalose has been one of the highlights of my week. In case you haven’t read the posts here and here, Luyanda was chosen with three others to go to Brazil, as part of the COPA Coca-Cola®programme.
He arrived in Brazil this week for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ (his first time out the country), and met young football players from around the world, with a love for the game as strong as his own.
Yesterday, Luyanda had the rare chance to walk out onto the pitch at Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians Stadium for the opening game of the 2014 FIFA™ World Cup Brazil – the biggest sporting event in the world. I can only imagine what a privilege and experience this must have been, and just like we will never forget our own 2010 World Cup moments, I’m sure Luyanda won’t forget this year’s experience. I couldn’t stop thinking of him (or unrealistically trying to spot him) as I watched the opening ceremony last night.
The COPA Coca-Cola programme chose 116 teens from 28 countries to experience the FIFA™ World Cup live in Brazil, all with one language in common – football.
If you want to follow the rest of Luyanda’s trip, keep reading Rattle and Mum (that’s this!), and follow @CocaCola and the #WorldsCupZA hashtag for more on his journey.
