GLOBAL KILIMANJARO BOWL NOTES & QUOTES - MAY 16, 2011

ARUSHA, TANZANIA--Team Global is in Tanzania and preparations are well underway to host the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl.  The first game of college American Football will be played on African soil when Drake University takes on the CONADEIP All-Stars at the 20,000-capacity Sheik Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha at 1pm local time (US ET +7 hours) on Saturday, May 21.

From various points across the United States, staff responsible for game logistics, public relations, officiating, team coordination, football clinics and organizing family and friends' activities met at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam before making the eight-hour flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Arguably the most unique journey was undertaken by the four game officials based in Pennsylvania, who rode in a 10-seat limousine from State College, PA to Newark International Airport, taking with them tents for the climb of Mount Kilimanjaro that will feature players and coaches from both teams following Saturday's game.  In stark contrast, once in Tanzania, they spent an hour-long minibus ride under a full moon from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha on a darkened road littered with speed bumps and busy with locals walking on a makeshift sidewalk.

Spare a thought for the local ground staff at the Sheik Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium whose determination to provide a lush green field for Saturday's game included watering the entire playing surface on Monday, armed with only two sprinklers and cutting the grass with a single hand-held lawnmower.  Now that is dedication to the cause.

Notes: Team Global's first sighting of the African continent came at 37,000 feet with 4 hours and 30 minutes still remaining in the eight-hour trek from Amsterdam when KLM flight 569 crossed the Mediterranean Sea and flew over the Sahara Desert and northern Egypt...Al-Kharijah in Egypt's Western Desert was the first African city spotted from the air...the traveling group crossed the Equator into the Southern Hemisphere with about a hour remaining in the flight...there is one runway at Kilimanjaro International Airport and one flight arrival on Monday evenings--the KLM flight that the game's Tanzanian hosts followed by car on their way to meet and warmly greet the arrivals from the United States...Drake University Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb was met at the airport by Frank Mella, who is handling the logistics for the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl--16 years after Frank acted as a porter when Sandy climbed Mount Kilimanjaro during a previous visit...among the items transported by the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl staff on Sunday and Monday: game programs, equipment for athletic trainers, tents for the Mount Kilimanjaro climb, end zone pylons, down markets, 10,000 game tickets...vehicles drive on the left in Tanzania...all beds at the host Arusha Hotel are equipped with mosquito nets...On Tuesday morning the Global Football staff will undertake a walking tour of the city of Arusha (population 128,000) before visiting the host stadium and TGT facility where coaching clinics and practices will be held on Thursday and Friday.

Quotes: "We are finally here," said Global Football president and Event Producer PATRICK STEENBERGE.  "By the time the two teams arrive on Wednesday evening, preparations will be complete and the city of Arusha, which is buzzing with anticipation right now, will get its first taste of American football."

The Kitaa Orphanage service project will be coordinated through the efforts of the Iowa Resources for International Service (IRIS) as the student athletes from both teams, numbering 110 in total, will spend three days (May 22-24) working at local private orphanage to improve their facilities. 

TAHA, the Tanzania Horticulture Association, which promotes and oversees the expansive flower and fruit production and export in Tanzania, is providing fruit for both teams during their stay in the country, as well as decorating the Arusha Stadium with flowers and providing flower necklaces for the arrival reception when players and coaches land at JRO Airport.

The Arusha Hotel will serve as host for the Drake Bulldogs, media and game officials, while the Kibo Palace Hotel is hosting the CONADEIP Mexico official party.  Kilele Savane, Ltd of Arusha is handling all local transport; safari coordination and the Kili climb operations. 

Younger Optics will supply polarized Rx sunwear, equipped with Drivewear lenses that will be part of the players, coaches and staff's essential defense against blinding glare and harmful UV rays. For more information about Younger Optics and their other products, visit the company's website at www.youngeroptics.com, or call (800) 877-5367.

To receive information via email contact Patrick@GlobalFootball.com or call Patrick Steenberge on (011-255) (0) 762 379-437. Full event information is available on the www.globalfootball.com website.

Media contact: Michael Preston MP@MPrestonSports.com (011-255) (0) 757 894-392

About Global Football: Headed by President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep.  During the past 14 years, Global Football has produced football games in 18 nations in North and Central American, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Working partners include NFL, NFL Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, USA Football, and numerous Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide.  www.globalfootball.com.