To facilitate and enable regular activity “Let’s Play a Million” will distribute balls to children in schools and communities throughout South Africa and co-ordinate the placement of soccer coaches in selected areas; an infrastructure that encourages both participation and skills development.

“Let’s Play a Million will be one of the first projects that will embrace the positive spirit of the 2010 World Cup,” says SuperSport’s Vaughn Bishop.

Macharia Kamau, Country Representative for UNICEF, is fully behind this campaign. “It [Let’s Play A Million] will reinforce awareness of the right of children to play while directly supporting the Government’s ‘mass participation in sport’ strategy,” he said.

The “Let’s Play A Million” campaign kicks off at the beginning of May. Individuals and organisations wishing to make a donation to this initiative will be able to do so via SMS. Just sms "BALL" to 42500 (from 1 May 2007). The pledge amount per soccer ball is R30 and this will be the cost of each SMS.

Five partner radio stations jump in on Wednesday, 27 June, with a National telethon. East Coast Radio, Heart 104.9, OFM, Kaya FM and Algoa FM reach a vast percentage of South Africa’s population, which ensures awareness across all cultural levels.«

Within a month of exercising regularly, you’ll find it easier to climb a flight of stairs, lift your child and fall asleep. People who have been active long-term feel more satisfied with their weight and appearance. Health problems commonly associated with a sedentary lifestyle (back pain, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis) are reduced. This means you’ll have fewer medical expenses.

Adults are not the only ones to benefit. Research has proven that regular activity is beneficial for children too:

• Improvement in academic performance and in relationships with parents & teachers;
• Reduction in absenteeism and of behavioural disorder risks;
• Prevention of juvenile delinquency, alcohol and substance abuse;
• Improved confidence and self-image.«

Saturday, 5 May 2007 (Duration: 10-minutes)
In this episode we visit a children's mountain bike event held at Mintek, Randburg. These Sprogs races are held a few times a year and are open to everyone. We also visit the Vodacom & ECR soccer festival in Durban.

Saturday, 12 May 2007 (Duration: 10-minutes)
This week we learn about the sport of baseball, visit the Wildeklawer Griquas rugby coaching clinic in Kathu, with Errol Tobias, Pieter Hendricks and Ray Mordt and we take a look at the launch of the new “Let’s Play a Million” campaign.

Remember to check our Let's Play Address Book for contact details of sports featured on these episodes.

One of the best ways to encourage children to be active during their leisure time is for parents to get involved.

• As a family discuss activities everyone would like to try.
• Choose inexpensive activities like visiting public parks, walking trails and playgrounds.
• Make time to be active for 30-minutes every day.
• Remember to vary your activities. Work in the garden one day and ride bikes the next. If it’s raining? Play a fun board game.«