« On behalf of the United Nations, I wish the Elephants, who are the pride of Côte d'Ivoire, and who represent Africa along with Cameroon, Ghana, Algeria and Nigeria in this competition, plenty of success," said the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and head of UNOCI, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou , on Wednesday, 4 June 2014 at a ceremony in UNOCI's headquarters in Sebroko, during which the Ivorian Football Federation - Fédération Ivoirienne de football (FIF) presented her with official football shirt of the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire,



Just days after the start of the 20th World Cup in Brazil, which takes places between 12 June and 13 July, in which Côte d'Ivoire will be taking part for the third consecutive time, the First vice-president of FIF, Mr. Sory Diabaté and members of the executive committee presented two football shirts in orange and green to the head of UNOCI.

This gesture, according to Mr. Diabaté, is a symbol of the fruitful collaboration between the two organisations during the past ten years as well as a way of saying thank you to those "whose hearts beat for Côte d'Ivoire and are accompanying our country," he added. In a voice charged with emotion, Mr. Diabaté added: "Our visit today is a sign of all that we share and the solidarity which exists between us. In 2007, at a time when we were coming out of a difficult situation, UNOCI stood guarantee to CAF and FIFA so that a match between Côte d'Ivoire – Madagascar can be played in Bouaké. UNOCI ensured that the two teams were transported aboard the same plane and security was also guaranteed thanks to UNOCI, the whole world saw that it was now possible to go to Bouaké. On her part, Mrs Mindaoudou offered UNOCI promotional items to the FIF delegation including a football signed by her with the words "Lots of success to the Elephants".  



Regarding the use of sports as a means of communication by UNOCI, Mrs Mindaoudou explained that the UN mission has been organising sensitisation activities to promote social cohesion through fair-play, respect for your opponent, respect for the rules of the game, and accepting defeat with humility. "We should not forget team spirit which in dispensable in achieving success," she added.

Conscious of the role UNOCI is playing in the reconstruction of Côte d'Ivoire, the First vice-president of FIF asked for the the UN mission support while stating that it can "count on FIF" in its quest to promote peace, with football being "a factor of peace and the rapprochement ».



Mrs Mindaoudou concluded by reaffiming "availability of UNOCI and United Nations agencies to support all inclusive sports activities to benefit the people in accordance with their means" and assured FIF's number two that she will be closely following the matches being played by Didier Drogba and his team-mates whereever she is.