New Delhi: La Liga player Fernando Llorente on Thursday visited New Delhi as an ambassador for 'Save the Children' campaign to raise awareness about the deaths of over two million children who die in India every year.
On his first visit to India, the 26-year-old Spanish footballer Llorente had just one message: Let us stop the deaths of millions of children from causes and conditions that are completely treatable and preventable.
The Athletic Bilbao striker said he was moved to know that over eight million children under five die every year globally, of which, close to 2 million die in India alone.
"These are shocking statistics. Even more shocking for me is the fact that the majority of these deaths can be prevented," said Llorente, who was part of the Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup.
The footballer said his time in Delhi visiting slums was an emotional experience.
"I played football with young children in one of the slums. These children are like any other, full of enthusiasm and infectious joy. Given the right support, the kids here can grow up healthy. But I understand a lot of children do not live beyond the age of five and a huge number are malnourished," Llorente said.
"I will carry back the message that children everywhere have the right to survive and grow healthy and it is our responsibility to make sure this is possible. I will use my status to raise this message for 'Save the Children' wherever I can," the footballer added.
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