Cape Town - The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has visited a community project in Cape Town, which uses football to promote social cohesion and educate young people.

Run by Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) in conjunction with local partner Ajax Cape Town FC, the project has a social development programme aimed at diverting youngsters away from crime and disorder.

The London Mayor is in South Africa to learn lessons about staging major international sporting events as England bids to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Accompanied by England 2018 ambassadors, former South African football captain Lucas Radebe and former England international Andy Cole, the Mayor met with young people and football and community coaches at the project.

The 2018 bid team is already taking forward its legacy and international development plans and the Mayor is keen to develop links and exchange ideas. As one of the cities involved in the bid, London is currently implementing and supporting a range of initiatives aimed at increasing participation in football, part of an overall strategy to boost sporting activity, strengthen community cohesion and divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime.

Boris Johnson said: "As Charlton Athletic shows, English football already has some excellent community programmes in place across the world. We want to build on this experience and help create a genuine global legacy from hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018, as well as building on the momentum of the 2012 Games.

"This visit is a brilliant opportunity to see the impact that these schemes have on young people's lives and for us to pick up some valuable tips for our own drive to get more Londoners, particularly young people, playing sport."

With ￡30m already committed to the 2012 Games, London is also pushing ahead with measures to increase participation in football. This includes already forming the London United Community Partnership, which brings together all 15 of the capital's clubs to develop community programmes, and has just hosted its very first tournament for young people.

Charlton Athletic Community Trust, in association with partners British Airways and the Metropolitan Police, has been using football as a catalyst for social change at schemes in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town for the last seven years. Its work in South Africa was included in the England 2018 FIFA World Cup bid book as a legacy project.

Jason Morgan, Chief Executive Charlton Athletic Community Trust, said: "We are extremely proud to have seen the delivery of education and diversionary activities using the power of football. Ajax Cape Town has embraced the community concept and shown how a professional football club can have a direct impact in the community and provide diversionary activities aimed at reducing crime and disorder. We hope it will have as much impact and success as similar schemes in the UK."

Lucas Radebe added: "The work that many English clubs have undertaken within communities across South Africa over the past decade has been outstanding and has given all those involved a real sense of purpose and achievement.

"South Africa has come a long way in a very short space of time and projects such as the one Charlton Athletic FC is involved in has helped to make a real difference. Charlton Athletic and their partners should be proud of what they have achieved - I know their work has been appreciated by everyone who has benefited."

Andy Cole commented: "Charlton Athletic has always been at the forefront of community activity and this project is another brilliant example of their work. It's a tremendous example of how football can be used to create social change and it's the perfect example of the sort of work English clubs and associations are doing right across the world.

"I was always proud to play for my country and I'm equally proud now as a footballing ambassador, that England and English football are so committed to making a difference."

If England secures the right to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, a major focus will be on international development, using the commercial benefits not only to enhance football on a global scale but also social development opportunities throughout the world to leave a lasting legacy. In the UK this includes promoting a new generation of home talent, disability football and increasing participation by girls.

There will be a network of 2018 education zones, which would digitally connect schools and football clubs across the world.

There will be a new global fund to generate revenue for football and social development in every FIFA federation across the world. The David Beckham Academy will also be incorporated to create a project in each of the six FIFA Confederations until 2018.?

Former England striker Andy Cole, left, with London Mayor Boris Johnson, middle and former Bafana Bafana and Leeds captain Lucas Radebe, right, visit the young players at the Charlton Athletic Community Trust in Cape Town.

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