Clinton & Slim Partner For Mexican Soccer Project

By Michael Lopez

How do you bring attention to a social cause in Mexico? Get a former U.S. President and the world’s richest man to back it up! Bill Clinton and Carlos Slim announced this week that they are partnering to launch a soccer project that uses sports to keep kids away from gangs and narco violence.

Focusing on Mexican youths aged 16-24, the main goal of the program is to offer hope in border cities ravaged by recent drug cartels. So far, Clinton and Slim have projected that at least 900 teens will benefit from the project and they’re hopeful things will only get better from there.

Representatives from the Fundación Carlos Slim laid out a few of the plans in more detail. According to spokesman Renato Flores, the program will transform the lessons kids learn in sports (like fútbol) into viable skills, which can eventually be used when they enter the job market.

Mexican regions like Chihuahua and Juarez will be the first to receive aid. Local organizations set up by Clinton and Slim’s foundations will be set up in those cities to monitor and develop the programs. And though the exact amount of money donated to start the project hasn't been disclosed, we can foresee a nice chunk of change coming out of Carlos’ deep pockets.

Were you involved in youth programs in your community? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, bill clinton, Carlos Slim, Cultura, futbol, Mexico, Sports