ROME, ITALY: Save the Dream will team up with LEGA SERIE A and Centro Sportivo Italiano (CSI) this weekend to host the 2nd ‘Save the Dream Day’ to raise awareness about a new volunteer initiative to support young people in Haiti and beyond.

Involving 20 teams across 10 matches during matchday 31 of the 2014/15 SERIE A season, this year’s Save the Dream Day will be dedicated to promoting a new global volunteer programme designed to give underprivileged children the opportunity to play sport and teach them about the positive values that can be learnt through it.

The volunteer programme will target young people who can volunteer to help develop sport in Haiti, with further projects extending into other regions such as Africa later this year.

To help engage and inspire young people across Italy to take part in the initiative, Save the Dream will host a range of activities at SERIE A matches this weekend, including: audio messages and video clips featuring Save the Dream being shown in SERIE A stadia, children accompanying the players onto the field wearing Save the Dream logos, as well as dedicated on-field banners.

SERIE A managers will also wear Save the Dream pins during this weekend’s matches to show their support for the campaign.

Speaking about this year’s Save the Dream Day, Mohammed Hanzab, ICSS President and Founder of the Save the Dream, said:

“Sport has a special ability to instil hope and engage young people around the world. In line with Save the Dream’s overall mission to empower young people through sport, this years Save the Dream Day will aim to raise awareness and support those young people in Haiti and through sport give hope to those affected by the numerous natural disasters that have affected the country over recent years.

“On behalf of the ICSS and Save the Dream, I wouldlike to thank SERIE A and Centro Sportivo Italiano again for their involvement in this year’s event and would encourage other clubs and leagues around the world to get involved and take part in what will be a real celebration of sport and young people.”

Massimiliano Montanari, Executive Director of Save the Dream, added:

“Sport has the unique power to teach young people many important lessons however not every child is fortunate enough to have access to it.

“As part of our cooperation with Centro Sportive Italiano and SERIE A this year, Save the Dream Day aims to build on our recent work in India and Brazil and inspire many more young people around the world to participate in sport, as well as provide underprivileged children with a unique opportunity to access sport and experience the important lessons it can teach.

“Through our work at Save the Dream, this weekend will provide an important platform to share our work and initiate a global network of volunteers working together to ensure that sport is really for all and that children’s right to play is fully exercised regardless socio-economic status, gender or nationality. .”

Save the Dream is a joint initiative between the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).