April 8 (UPI) — American legends Carli Lloyd and Brandi Chastain will lead this spring's soccer sports envoys selected to represent overseas, the State Department announced Monday.
Lloyd, a former captain of the U.S. women's national team, and Chastain, a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, will work with American diplomats to “improve sports and promote peace and democracy around the world.” Participate in the promotion of Sports Envoy program, U.S. officials said in a statement.
Lloyd is set to team up with another retired U.S. soccer great, Cobi Jones, to travel to Greece later this month, during which he will be trained on and off the field through soccer clinics and leadership workshops. Efforts will be made to involve young people.
Meanwhile, Chastain is already in the Portuguese Azores, where she and youth soccer development expert Radovan Pletka are teaching young people soccer clinics and leadership workshops that “emphasize the importance of education and inclusion.” The State Department said it is working with female soccer players. Said.
The U.S. Sports Envoy Program recruits elite athletes and coaches to travel abroad to lead programs developed by U.S. embassies and consulates, organizers said. During their stay, they participate in community service activities and engage young people in “conversations about the importance of leadership and respect for diversity.”
The State Department is working with the United States Olympic Committee, United States Sports Federations, and professional leagues on this program.
In addition to Lloyd, Chastain and Jones, this spring's roster of soccer sports envoys includes U.S. Women's National Team alumnus Joanna Roman and Casey White, who visited Cambodia last month.
