Celtic stars Landry N’Guémo and Ki Sung Yueng today [Thursday] officially launched a partnership between their club, Celtic FC, and international aid agency Oxfam Scotland, aimed at fighting poverty in Africa in the year that the World Cup is hosted on the continent for the first time.

Midfielder N’Guémo, who will represent Cameroon at the World Cup in South Africa this summer, and fellow midfield maestro Ki, who will play for South Korea at the tournament, are calling on the club's massive army of loyal fans to get behind the partnership and do their bit for Africa.

Fans will be able to support Oxfam's campaigning to improve health and education across Africa by going to www.oxfam.org.uk/celtic.

Fans can also make a donation to Oxfam's work via the website.

There will be a limited edition Celtic and Oxfam ribbon on sale for just £1 at a future home match, and also opportunities for fans to get behind other campaigning and fundraising initiatives.

The two organisations were both formed to tackle poverty. Celtic were formed by a Marist Brother priest called Brother Walfrid in 1888 to alleviate poverty in the east end of Glasgow. Oxfam was formed in 1942 and works with others to end poverty and suffering around the world.

Celtic stars N’Guémo & Ki help launch the campaign. Credit: Oxfam

Landry N’Guémo, 24, who helped his country to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in Angola last month, said:

"Everyone is looking forward to the World Cup and me and some of my Celtic team mates will be representing our countries in South Africa.

"But while the football takes centre stage, there will be millions of people in Africa dealing with the daily struggles of poverty and I think it's our duty to make as many people aware of that as we possibly can.

"Poverty prevents people from getting an education and denies them access to even basic medical care. Celtic and Oxfam both have the same goal when it comes to tackling poverty and this partnership will raise awareness of those issues and also raise funds to help tackle poverty in Africa.

"I hope Celtic supporters will now also become Oxfam supporters and do whatever they can to back our World Cup partnership for Africa."

Ki Sung Yueng, 21, hailed the partnership as a match made in Paradise. He said:

"Well over 100 years ago this great club was founded with the aim of not only providing entertainment, but to help alleviate poverty in the city's east end.

"Oxfam exists to tackle poverty across the world and the two organisations are a perfect match.

"This is the year that the world's attention will be on Africa for the World Cup. I hope we can focus some of that attention on the issues that will not be so apparent to people watching the games from the comfort of their homes.

"In Africa, millions of people go without basic health care and millions of children are denied an education and the chance to make a better life for themselves, all because of poverty.

"Celtic fans are famous all around the world for the backing they give the team. I hope they will show the same kind of backing to the Celtic and Oxfam partnership and help in whatever way they can."

Malcolm Fleming, Oxfam Scotland's Campaigns Manager, said:

"Oxfam are delighted to have the support of Celtic and we look forward to having the backing of their many millions of fans around the world too.

"The eyes of the world will be on Africa when the World Cup takes place in South Africa this summer, but we can't afford to forget the devastating effect poverty is having on millions of people there.

"I hope Celtic fans will back this partnership and that together we can make a difference and improve access to healthcare and education across Africa."

This Saturday (20th February) when Celtic play at home to Dundee United, fans are being encouraged to bring donations of clothes, books and other items to Celtic Park, for resale in Oxfam shops to raise vital funds to tackle poverty. An Oxfam truck will be on site to accept collections.

Then on Saturday 10th April, when Celtic play at home to Motherwell, fans will be able to purchase a special Oxfam/Celtic ribbon at the match, to show their support.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawell said:

"As the eyes of the world focus on the continent for this summer's football extravaganza, we want to net their support to help bring people out of poverty.

"Poverty has always been high on both our agendas. Oxfam has been fighting poverty and suffering around the world since 1942. Celtic was first set up in 1888 to alleviate poverty in the east end of Glasgow.

"So it made sense for us to join forces and tackle poverty together in the year that footballing attention will be on Africa for the World Cup."