Today, Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, celebrated the announcement of Yusuf Jimacale as a Torchbearer nominee for this year’s Olympic Torch Relay.
Samsung ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games’ campaign brought the spirit of the London 2012 Olympic Games to Chelsea and Manchester United fans by encouraging them to share their passion for sports with London 2012 when it comes to town later this year.
The announcement was made in front of roaring crowds at half-time during today’s match. Yusuf Jimacale was congratulated on the pitch before fans who showed their appreciation for the commitment Yusuf has shown to developing young football talent.
Born in 1991, Yusuf came to Chelsea Football Club through the Hammersmith and Fulham Kickz project four years ago. Immediately Yusuf showed notable leadership skills and began making a positive impact on his peers whilst gaining relevant coaching qualifications.
Yusuf delivers coaching sessions at local primary schools on a daily basis and provides three evening-coaching sessions per week. Most recently, Yusuf made an enormous contribution to an Afro-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust event and was a key member of the volunteer team that organised the World Mental Health Day event at Stamford Bridge.
Since becoming part of the Chelsea FITC (Football in the Community), Yusuf has demonstrated compassion, provided inspiration, and dedicated his time to young people in his community; it’s for these reasons why Yusuf has been nominated through the Samsung nomination programme as a worthy Torchbearer in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung has held a worldwide nomination campaign to select some of the 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers and is honoured to count Yusuf as a Torchbearer nominee, thanks to Samsung. Commenting on the nomination, Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics said, “In our ambition to make the London 2012 Olympic Games an event for everyone, we have selected potential Olympic Torchbearers from all walks of life and from all around the world. As we step closer to the exciting journey, Samsung hopes to share our passion towards London 2012 and congratulates all those who have been offered a conditional Torchbearer place. Yusuf’s outstanding contribution to the community is the very essence of what the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay represents and we hope he continues to inspire many young people for years to come.”
Samsung has been strongly committed to sport through the sponsorship of the Olympic Games. Samsung are keen to share the Olympic spirit and celebrate the excitement of the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games with sports fans around the world. Samsung has been a Principal Sponsor of Chelsea FITC since 2006 to help fund the programme developing football at grass roots level and taking it into new regions around the world.
Ron Gourlay, Chief Executive of Chelsea FC commented: “Our Foundation programmes are designed to encourage people like Yusuf and to support their future ambitions. We recommended Yusuf to Samsung because of his unquestionable commitment and dedication to helping others through sports. Obviously we’re excited to learn that Samsung accepted Yusuf as a Torchbearer nominee.”
Commenting on his nomination as Torchbearer, Yusuf said: “I am so excited to be nominated by Samsung and given the opportunity to become one the Torchbearers in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, thanks to Samsung. It would be an honour to join the 1000’s of other Torchbearers all chosen for their unique stories which have helped and inspired others within their communities. I will continue supporting our community programmes and feel proud of the successes we achieve whilst helping others reach their goals.”
Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, the Organising Committee of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, supported the nomination from the stands during the match and commented: “It’s great to see Samsung taking the vision of the Olympic Games to supporters of other sports. Yusuf is a very deserving nomination and his achievements convey what the Olympic Games are all about: passion, determination and commitment to what you believe in”.
Samsung has been associated with the Olympic Games for almost 25 years and has been the Official Wireless Telecommunications Partner since 1998.