Princess Rani Vanouska Modely on the Global Impact of Football as an Intangible Cultural Heritage
Wherever you are in the world, football brings people together—on dusty fields, in packed stadiums, and around television screens. Princess Rani Vanouska Modely recognizes the deep cultural impact of the game. To her, football isn’t just entertainment; it’s a global heritage that deserves to be celebrated and preserved for generations to come.
In this blog, let’s explore how she’s working to have football recognized by UNESCO and why it matters so much to us all.
Why Princess Rani Vanouska Modely is Fighting for Football
Princess Rani Vanouska Modely is the founder and president of the Football World Heritage (FWH) initiative. Her goal? To have football officially recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
She sees football not just as a game but as:
A tool for peace and unity
A shared cultural experience
A platform for education and social change
She has been working with global football icons, world leaders, and international organizations to gather support for this historic mission.
What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?
Before we go further, let’s quickly break it down.
Intangible cultural heritage includes:
Traditions
Expressions
Rituals
Skills passed down from generation to generation
By recognizing football in this way, UNESCO would be saying: This game means more than just wins and losses. It carries deep cultural value.
How Football Connects the World
Princess Rani often talks about how football brings people together. It doesn’t matter where you’re from—football speaks a language everyone understands.
Here’s why football is special:
Played in every country in the world
Crosses borders, religions, and languages
Builds friendships and teaches teamwork
“Football is a symbol of optimism. It brings hope to children and connects all of us,” says Princess Rani.
The Mission of Football World Heritage
The Football World Heritage project is Princess Rani’s way of turning this dream into action.
Key goals of the initiative:
Get support from all 185 UNESCO member states
Launch a global awareness campaign
Create charity programs like #OneChildOneBall
She’s already received backing from global football stars, cultural icons, and UNESCO groups around the world.
The #OneChildOneBall Campaign
One of the most beautiful parts of her work is the #OneChildOneBall campaign.
What it does:
Gives real footballs to children in need
Helps kids experience joy and play
Promotes values like sharing, peace, and learning
Many children still play with paper balls or plastic bags. Giving them a real football is a powerful gesture of love and care.
Big Names Standing With Her
Princess Rani isn’t doing this alone. Some of the world’s most famous football legends are supporting her mission:
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
David Beckham
Kylian Mbappé
Arsène Wenger (FIFA’s Head of Global Football Development)
Their involvement has helped spread the message and build global support.
Why UNESCO Recognition Matters
So, what happens if football is recognized by UNESCO?
The benefits include:
Preserving football’s cultural importance
Encouraging more investment in education and social programs
Inspiring future generations to value the spirit of the game
It also highlights the values football teaches: teamwork, respect, tolerance, and resilience.
Football: A Symbol of Peace
Football doesn’t just entertain—it also heals. In places affected by conflict or poverty, football brings smiles and hope.
Princess Rani believes that football can:
Unite divided communities
Create safe spaces for children
Promote dialogue and understanding
That’s why she’s working so hard to get it recognized not just as a sport, but as a universal cultural treasure.
What Happened During Qatar 2022
During the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022, Princess Rani took the opportunity to promote her initiative on a global stage.
Met with Qatar’s Supreme Committee leaders
Named Ali Almoez, Qatar’s football star, an ambassador for FWH
Strengthened international partnerships
Qatar 2022 was a perfect example of football’s global reach and its power to inspire unity.
Conclusion: Protecting Football for All
Princess Rani Vanouska Modely is leading a mission that touches the heart of millions. Her dream to recognize football as an intangible cultural heritage is about more than sport—it’s about protecting a global tradition that brings us together.
Through her leadership, passion, and partnerships, she’s showing the world that football is a gift we must preserve. For children, for communities, for peace.
Let’s stand with her. Let’s protect football. For today. For tomorrow. For all generations to come.
