Best Player Goal Celebration at World Cup Will Win "Coca-Cola Celebration Award"

ATLANTA, June 10, 2010 - Scoring a goal on football's biggest stage catapults players into a moment of pure happiness and celebration that defines their careers and marks some of the most iconic scenes in FIFA World Cup™ matches. Today, Coca-Cola for the first time in FIFA World Cup™ history has revealed plans to recognise the most entertaining goal celebration with the "Coca-Cola Celebration Award."

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, player goal celebrations will be uploaded to www.fifa.com/celebrations and fans will be invited to vote for the most outstanding player celebrations online. Players are sure to "release their African rhythm" and create some iconic moves that will rival the legendary celebrations that have become ingrained in FIFA World Cup™ history and fans' hearts. All FIFA World Cup™ players celebrating goals will have a chance of winning. The award will respect the laws of the game.

Coca-Cola will contribute $1,500 to fund the "Water for Schools" initiative in Africa each time a player celebrates a goal. The eventual winner will be rewarded with the first-ever Coca-Cola Celebration Award. Coca-Cola will also donate on the winning player's behalf an extra $50,000 to the "Water for Schools" program to mark the historic occasion for an anticipated total contribution of $300,000. The "Water for Schools" program is just one part of a $30 million legacy by Coca-Cola to provide at least 2 million people in Africa with clean water and improved sanitation by 2015.

Coca-Cola is using the occasion of the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil to raise awareness of the vital role clean drinking water plays in developing communities. For every 10 goal celebrations in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, it is estimated an entire school could gain clean water access, benefitting nearly 500 children.

By participating in the voting, football fans can have a hand in supporting clean water initiatives that will leave a lasting legacy of water sustainability in Africa and beyond.

"Inspired by Roger Milla's iconic corner flag dance in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola Celebration Award has been created to give players and fans the chance to not only show their passion for football but also tackle the hugely important issue of water sanitation," said Emmanuel Seuge, group director, worldwide sports and entertainment marketing, The Coca-Cola Company.

The Coca-Cola Celebration Award is one of a wide range of programs included in the Company's sponsorship campaign, which encourages fans to let go of their inhibitions and celebrate.

The campaign invites people to express their optimism and passion for football through active dance celebrations as excitement builds for the greatest single-sport spectacle on the planet.

"Every FIFA World Cup™ creates those special iconic moments, when a footballer has just scored a goal and, with a spontaneous release of emotion, begins to celebrate the triumph with a unique celebration," said Jérôme Valcke, FIFA Secretary General. "Those moments of happiness will now have added significance and will be shared with those people in Africa who will benefit from The Coca-Cola Water for Schools project."

For more information contact: www.thecoca-colacompany.com

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