David Beckham Three-Day Visit To India As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

David Beckham reached Ahmedabad on 14 November 2023 on a three-day visit to India as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. David Beckham's visit to India came into limelight when he attended the India vs New Zealand Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 15 November 2023.

• Beckham appeared on the field even before the toss, due to which the excitement among the spectators present in the stadium increased even more.

UNICEF's partnership with ICC:

• It is noteworthy that UNICEF has partnered with the International Cricket Council (ICC) with the aim of promoting equal opportunities for girls and boys in South Asia.
• David Beckham first met former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is also UNICEF's Regional Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, during his visit to Mumbai.
• Both the great players came to the field before the World Cup semi-final match and met some players of the New Zealand and Indian cricket team.
• Along with this, David Beckham talked to Virat Kohli on the boundary before the match started.

David Beckham:

• David Beckham, 48, is a retired England professional footballer and is considered one of the most iconic and successful players of his generation. Beckham is a former striker for Manchester United and Real Madrid.
• Beckham is currently the co-owner of Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami, for which Lionel Messi plays.
• Apart from his illustrious sporting career, Beckham is also known for his global celebrity status, fashion, and social good.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF):

• UNICEF was founded by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. Ludwik Roschmann (Polish physician) played a major role in its formation.
• UNICEF was formerly known as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

Main objectives of formation of UNICEF:

• The main objective of the formation of UNICEF was to provide food and health care in emergency situations to children and women in the countries destroyed in the Second World War.

• In the year 1950, UNICEF's scope of work was expanded to meet the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries.
• Again in 1953, it became a permanent part of the United Nations and the words ‘International’ and ‘Emergency’ were removed from the name of this organization.
• Hence its name is now United Nations Children's Fund while still retaining the original acronym 'UNICEF'.

UNICEF has received many awards from time to time:

• UNICEF received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.
• Indira Gandhi Peace Prize in the year 1989 and
• Received the Prince of Asturias Award in the year 2006.