Hugo Porta to take part in Walk The Talk
23 July 2008
Legendary Argentinean rugby player Hugo Porta is flying to South Africa to take part in the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk Marathon in Johannesburg on Sunday, 27 July, to help raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Trust South Africa.
Porta, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, will be joined by Morné du Plessis, the Chairman of the South African Foundation, and fellow South African Laureus Friends and Ambassadors' Deshun Deysel, Natalie du Toit, Frankie Fredericks, Baby Jake Matlala, John Moeti, Lucas Radebe and Cynthia Tshaka, who will all be walking.
Official charity
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is once again the official charity of the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk Marathon and will receive a R10 donation for every five kilometres and eight kilometres completed by competitors. Discovery is the Country Patron of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Trust in South Africa.
The Discovery 702 Walk the Talk caters for everyone, with 30 kilometre and 15 kilometre events for serious walkers, while those seeking a shorter walk with their families, work colleagues, or even with their dogs, can enjoy the five and eight kilometre distances.
"We're thrilled to be able to contribute through the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk, both to the wellbeing of Joburgers by promoting the health benefits of walking, and to the important work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation through the proceeds of the race," said Discovery's Chief Marketing Officer, Hylton Kallner who will also be walking.
The greatest
Porta, who retired from the sport in 1990, is regarded as the greatest Argentinean rugby player in history. Some say he is the best flyhalf in the history of the game.
He was not only a skilled kicker, but an exceptional all-round player. He famously scored all 21 points when the South American Jaguars shocked the Springboks 21-12 in Bloemfontein in 1982.
A graduate of Buenos Aires University and an architect by profession, after serving his country for 19 years on the field of play, Porta was appointed Argentina's Ambassador to South Africa in 1991, before returning to his homeland where he became Minister of Sport from 1996 to 1999.
He has received many awards, including 'Best Rugby Player in the World' in 1985. In 2000, Porta became a founder member of the Laureus World Sports Academy and is currently President of the Laureus Foundation in Argentina.
'A regular visitor'
Morné du Plessis, the Chairman of the National Laureus Foundation in South Africa, said: "Hugo Porta is a regular visitor to our shores and we are delighted that he now joins us in South Africa for this great event. We will, at the same time, also value the great input and advice Porta will afford us within the Soweto Schools Rugby Project."
The mission of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is to utilise the power of sport to address social challenges through a worldwide programme of sports-related community development initiatives, using sport as a tool for social change.
Laureus supports over 60 projects worldwide and improves the lives of almost 150 000 children through its Global Foundation and a growing network of local foundations, one of which is in South Africa.
Soweto Schools Rugby Project
A day before the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk, Porta and Du Plessis will be attending the official launch of the newly supported Laureus programme, Soweto Schools Rugby Project, in Soweto on July 26th. It is part of the Soweto Rugby Club's strategic plan.
It aims to be proactive in resolving the transformation debate in South African Rugby and at the same time to adequately empower participants so that when they progress in the game, and in life in general, they have the tools to cope.
The programme currently has 560 participants between the ages of eight years and 18 years, with 28 coaches.
The Laureus World Sports Academy
The Laureus World Sports Academy is a unique association of 46 of the greatest living sporting legends. Its members act as global ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, volunteering their time to visit projects in order to draw attention to the problems afflicting society today.
The members are:
Giacomo Agostini, Marcus Allen, Severiano Ballesteros
