Fifa Vice President Jack Warner promised that the campaign for the Fifa U-17 Women's World Cup would be "a campaign that would break all boundaries" and it seems as though organisers are well positioned to deliver on that promise. For the launch of the emblem of the U-17 World Cup, the LOC was able to attract star power in the forms of US goalkeeper Hope Solo, Canadian superstar Christine Sinclair, Brazilian Aline Pellegrino and legend Tiffney Milbret. Now on the eve of the LOC's World Cup campaign, organisers have gained the support of yet another international name, this time it's none other than the legend himself, Pele.
The Brazilian superstar, who last visited this country in 1987, is expected to attend the draw for the U-17 World Cup next year. The initiative to gain the support of the Brazilian was spearheaded by Fifa vice president Jack Warner. Warner, who is in Mexico, held an impromptu meeting with Pele on Wednesday, during which he delivered the invitation on behalf of the LOC. Warner said the meeting went well. "I have been mulling over the idea of inviting Pele for quite a while. You see the Fifa U-17 Women's World Cup is not just about creating stars but it must attract stars and who better to attract, than the legend himself."
Warner said final details were still being worked out, but Pele has indicated his willingness and availability to attend. "We will have a number of follow up discussions but this country will see Pele again." Deputy CEO and director of marketing, Nataki Kerr says the development is testimony to the appeal of women's football. "The statistics are clear, women's football is a growing phenomena, the fact that a footballer of such international repute such as Pele is willing to attend this draw says volumes of the appeal of women's football." The Fifa U-17 Women's World Cup will being on September 5 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago.