Sport and entertainment join for one worthy cause

Sport and entertainment joined forces last week as it was revealed that Premiership footballer William Gallas and, star of the BBC's leading soap opera, Eastenders' Kara Tointon will team up to promote the Sport Relief campaign.

Gallas, who captains Premiership Arsenal, is in the latter stage of his career at 30-years-old, but he insisted last month that he does not feel his age: "I feel like I'm 20-years-old sometimes because the atmosphere is so great", he said at the launch of Sport Relief.

Arsenal's rock in defence has certainly been encouraging to the young players at Arsenal and urging them to do well this season. Now he is encouraging people to get involved with Sport Relief, an initiative which harnesses the power and passion of sport to raise money to help people living really tough lives...in the UK and around the world.

He said: “You don’t have to love sport as much as me to join in with the fun of Sport Relief. You can get involved in lots of ways, by doing something active, or a sports quiz, or just by wearing a pair of Sport Relief socks. The important thing is the money you raise will be spent by Sport Relief to transform lives in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries."

In a sport which currently seems to be ruled by money and a Premier League full to the brim with overpaid players, Gallas is an inspiration to other players in the game.

I hope that other high-paid players follow in Gallas's foot steps and, even if not participating actively, simply contributed some of their money to causes such as this. Money which many in the game would not notice if it fell out of their pocket, but money that would make a great difference to others.

The big-hearted 'Gallas attitude' is what football needs to adopt if it is going to achieve its much-craved global recognition, not the gluttonous 'game 39' attitude, which I have previously blogged about. The Premier League's Chief Executive Richard Scudamore may learn a thing or two from Gallas. But sadly, I doubt the Premier League will take this path, as it does not get the money-hungry businessmen behind the top clubs any money, does it? A big shame.

(Picture from Sport Relief)