LONDON, March 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- FIFA-Endorsed Project Tells Extraordinary Tales of Ordinary People

An online media room (http://footballshiddenstory.mediaroom.com) designed
specifically for journalists worldwide has been launched to help bring to
public attention Football's Hidden Story - extraordinary stories of ordinary
people whose lives have been transformed through the power of football.

These are dramatic stories of hope and courage; inspiration and
reconciliation; emotional stories seen through a personal, human perspective.
Many individuals and organisations are using football successfully as a tool
to achieve positive social change and development. In 2005, FIFA - together
with streetfootballworld - founded the "Football for Hope Movement" to
support them. In this spirit of "making the world a better place through
football", FIFA is also endorsing the Football's Hidden Story" project.

A Comprehensive Media Service

The media room provides journalists with professionally written editorial
material and superb photographs, from which they can create their own
coverage.

Eventually there will be 26 features. Those coming up soon include:

- Bridging the Divide: Alon Liel is the motivator behind the
first mixed Arab-Israeli football club, which has just played a historic
match with the first Syrian-born football team ever to play in Israel.

- One Game, One Family: Valeriu Niciolae, a Romanian gypsy, has
fought racism by pressuring the Romanian government and football
authorities to stop vile anti-gypsy chanting and abuse.

- Top of the World: Mahendra BK was one of Nepal's 5,000 street
children, but was rescued by an orphanage which specialises in football.

26 Exciting Stories From Around the World

Other stories now available include Liberia - How amputee football has
liberated the victims of civil war; Colombia - The Colombianitos encourage
children of guerrillas and drug-runners to attend school via football
training; Scotland - A one-time homeless alcoholic started to play street
football and last year managed Scotland to win the Homeless World Cup England
- A former jailbird who went on to become an English Premiership player, now
trains and mentors troublesome teenagers; South Africa - Grassroot Soccer
teaches children how to protect against HIV/AIDS.

Become a priority journalist

The stories are in English and outstanding high resolution still images
for each story are available for members of the media to download.
Journalists can also apply for a password to receive stories ahead of general
release. This will enable them to plan ahead, research and add a local angle
to any story or rewrite it in their own style or language.

For further information please contact:

    Football's Hidden Story Information Office
    Caroline Gillies
    Tel. +44(0)1628-627613
    press@footballshiddenstory.com