Ayenya (GAR), Sept. 10, GNA - Mr Marcel Desailly, football legend and member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, on Thursday underscored the need for concerted efforts to end the deprivation facing children from poor homes.

Mr Desailly, former Captain of the French national football Team said even though elimination of poverty was impossible, it could be minimised through global pooling of resources.

He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Ayenya in the Dangme West District in the Greater Accra Region, where the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, an organization using sports to bring change to deprived children, is sponsoring the sports programme of OrphanAid Africa Relief Project.

He expressed his commitment to partner with institutions that are taking care of vulnerable children in Ghana to ensure that they realise their full potentials in life.

Touching on sports, Mr Desailly said it was a tool, which made children to become creative and develop well. Mr Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy said the Foundation was pleased with what OrphanAid Africa had done so far for deprived children in the country and pledged continuous support to the organisation.

Mr Moses, who was the 1976 and 1984 Olympic 400 metre-hurdle champion and two times Olympic Gold Medallist, said in view of the project's success with OrphanAid, the Foundation was planning to extend it to other parts of the country.

Currently, 138 children are benefiting from relief interventions by OrphanAid Africa.

The OphanAid Africa had also helped to provide a school, water and toilet facilities for the Ayenya community.