The UN Development Program (UNDP) kicked off its annual star-studded soccer game on Monday for the Match Against Poverty in Portugal where proceeds will go towards the victims of the quake-hit Haiti.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon applauded relief efforts and the world of sport for coming together in giving hope.

This is the seventh edition of the tournament organized by the UNDP where Goodwill Ambassadors and World Cup winners, Zinedine Zidane of France and Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima of Brazil, teamed up to raise donations towards global efforts in eliminating poverty.

Luis Figo (R) of Portugal stands next to Zinedine Zidane of France before the seventh "Match against Poverty" at Luz stadium in Lisbon January 25, 2010. With tickets at 10 euros each, the match will raise funds for victims of a magnitude-7 quake on January 12 in Haiti which killed more than 200,000 people, leaving up to three million hurt or homeless in nightmarish conditions in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country

In Ban's message delivered by his special advisor Wilfried Lemke on sport for development and peace in Lisbon, Portugal, he noted that this year's match takes on added significance where proceeds of the game will go towards Haitians who need assistance.

"We at the United Nations welcome your solidarity at the country's time of dire need," the message said as world-famous players are giving hope to the Haitians who have lost everything.

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