Princess Salimah Aga Khan at the Samba Soccer Charity WORD Doc, KB 285

Princess Salimah Aga Khan at the "Samba Soccer Charity" Football Match

SOS Children's Villages International Ambassador for Children, Princess Salimah Aga Khan,

an avid football fan, will attend a charity football match organised by SOS Children's Villages at the Central Stadium in Leipzig, Germany, on 6 September 2004.

Since she first started working with SOS Children's Villages back in 1995, Princess Salimah Aga Khan has been a fully dedicated and committed advocate of the organisation's worldwide humanitarian work for orphaned, abandoned and destitute children. During the 2000 inauguration of an SOS Children's Village for Tibetan children in Gopalpur, India, the Princess was officially appointed as the first Ambassador for Children by the organisation's president Helmut Kutin.

Princess Salimah Aga Khan has participated in numerousevents to promote the international children's welfare organisation, and has visited SOS Children's Village facilities around the world in countries such as Nepal, Romania, France, Egypt, Austria and Italy. During a visit to Pakistan, the Princess visited anongoing SOS Emergency Relief Programme for refugee childrenfrom neighbouring Afghanistan, while on a trip to South Africa, she called on one of the organisation's HIV/AIDS prevention programmes. In her latest trip to Mexico, El Salvador and Panama in 2003, the Princess met children in the organisation's care, local supporters, several national celebrities as well as the first ladies of El Salvador and Panama.

On 6 September 2004, Princess Salimah Aga Khan will be attending the "Samba Soccer Charity" football match between former Brazilian and German football stars, which will be hosted by SOS Children's Villages at the Central Stadium in Leipzig. Back in 2000, the Princess also attended a charity football match that was staged for the benefit of SOS Children's Villages. Back then, the reigning World and European Champions France confronted an all-star FIFA team in Marseille.

"I love football. It is a dynamic sport that is easy and affordable for children around the world to play," said Princess Salimah Aga Khan. "Through football, children learn about the importance of respecting both team mates and opponents. Football allows children to develop their abilities and, above all, football is fun! I very much look forward to the World Cup 2006 here in Germany and our partnership with FIFA helps to bring the beautiful game nearer to our SOS children."

Born and raised in India, where her father served for the British Army, Princess Salimah Aga Khan moved to England in 1947, where she was pronounced one of the ten most beautiful women in the world. In 1969, she married His Highness, the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili sect of Muslims. In 1995, their Highnesses, Prince Karim Aga Khan and Princess Salimah Aga Khan decided to separate. Since then, the Princess has been actively supporting various humanitarian efforts, particularly those in the areas of health and child support.

SOS-Kinderdorf International Hermann-Gmeiner-Str. 51, 6021 Innsbruck, Austria

Phone: +43/512/3310-0 Facsimile: +43/512/3310-27