· Culture · 30 October 2023 · T. Joana Rebelo

Rani Vanouska

«I want to make football an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity»

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P. André Rolo

Having recognised potential in Portuguese lands, where she was recently passing through. She came from far away and didn’t take long for her travelling further afield, looking for guiding signs in broad smiles. In the name of a mission. In the name of a dream. But in parts. She became a woman early on, discontent with the patriarchal culture that considered putting a ring on her finger at the age of twelve. Instead of marriage, Rani Vanouska dedicated herself to a modelling career, and what comes next, she guarantees to reveal to us in the course of this conversation. What we do know is that in the midst of a cultured family, she matured into a girl governed by values, values that would later make her an influential woman with a fondness for humanitarian projects. There would be much more to say about Vanouska, if it weren’t now time to meet her in person, a woman with Indian roots and a meticulously managed schedule, who doesn’t like to portray herself as a member of royalty, even though she is, and who some people already call «Mother Teresa of football».

As well as being a woman of many talents, you are from a lineage that recognises you as royalty. Can you tell us about your origins?
Yes, although I don’t think it’s necessary. It’s something that I don’t like to mention... Nowadays, people talk about royalty as if it were the Disney universe, but that is not the truth that corresponds to these days. I must even say that it’s not the most important part of my life. I think that life has to do with meritocracy and belonging to this lineage is not something I have struggled to conquer… Of course, I’m proud of my heritage and I keep it in my heart, but mainly education remains. It has to do with how I can use my education to make an impact on the world and that, yes, is the most determining factor for me.
Currently, my family is spread all over the world, in fact, we have always travelled a lot. My parents intended to raise me with an open mind, which is why I have lived in multiple countries. Still, within us resides the Indian spirit, albeit with an international touch, to hold a fuller perspective of the world.

Model, philanthropist, entrepreneur, public figure and probably more qualities that you keep secret. How do you combine such different areas in your daily life?
It’s actually very easy because everything I do; I do with my heart. I don’t dwell on the past, I believe that everything that happens in life is the work of destiny. There, my Indian roots speak for me. We all have a mission in this life, we are born for a reason, and it is under this motto that I lead my life.

Have you ever felt that your cultural heritage conditions you?
Yes, and to be honest it’s been difficult. I come from a very conservative family and when I started my modelling career it wasn’t easy. I had to swim against the current. I also think this kind of rebellious spirit has to do with age. I always wanted to do more, and I was sure which path I wasn’t willing to take. I needed to know who I am and find my way, alone. With modelling, I started to gain authentic life experience, largely because I travelled all over the place. Before that, I remember feeling like a child, protected by everything and nothing. And the choice to reverse all of that was mine.

And as for the academic side, what did you choose to do?
My father wasn’t happy with my modelling career, because it wasn’t the destiny he had planned for me, so I went back to school. Just as he wanted. I went to preparatory school for math and science, but on one condition: I could do with my life what I wanted after those two years. And so, it happened. Right after preparatory school, I had a tutor who accompanied me on my travels so that I could continue my education. Afterwards, I ended up going to New York, and it was there that I devoted myself entirely to my modelling career. I finally started to be part of the world and becoming a young adult.

How did the connection to the football universe come about?
A long story. Now, my family has always been involved in humanitarian projects, my grandmother, for example, was part of the Red Cross. The idea of contributing to a better world was always present in my education, something that helped certain projects to culminate. Over time, I began to think about doing something impactful for people, and it was at that time that I met Emmanuel Macron, long before he became president. I ended up getting involved in an organisation dedicated to young people, in order to help them achieve their dreams.
However, life decided to introduce me to the president of the French National Commission for UNESCO. This intergovernmental organisation, which has around 195 countries, has a permanent delegation in each country, where it deals with events in the respective region. And, well, I became an ambassador and started to fit into this world of international organisations. I was in constant contact with new ideas and trying to find different projects to create. But, as it is a very closed environment, I encountered a lot of difficulties. It didn’t take long to realise that it was time to make a difference and go further. I needed to put some humanity in the projects, something that could touch people, bring them proximity.
Then life decided for me to be invited to the Champions League ceremony, to the draw. I didn’t know what was waiting for me... The first thing I thought of was the number of men present and the unrepresentative number of women. I quickly realised it was a problem. I ended up walking into the room and taking my seat. The ceremony was broadcast live around the world, and I remember, from one moment to the next, my mobile started to receive a ton of messages. «Oh my god, Ronaldo!», «Oh my god, Messi!», they told me. This experience really changed my life. I was amazed at the impact it had on people’s lives. In children and teenagers, the emotion that shone in their eyes, looking at the best in the world, was almost palpable. It’s a poignant memory for me. At the end of the event, I returned home and woke up in the middle of the night with an idea: why not bridge the gap between the United Nations and football? Football is the most popular sport in the world and the United Nations is all about spreading values. Eureka! That’s how the ambition was born, to make football an intangible heritage of humanity.

«We all have a mission in this life»

P. André Rolo

And then, what happened?
What happened was that a few days later I flew to Paris and asked to meet with the President of the French National Commission. I told him about my ambition to make the sport an intangible cultural heritage, in order to unite countries as if it were a universal language. He liked the idea and showed me support, advising me to speak with the president of France to present the candidacy. I quickly told him no, because football does not belong to France, it belongs to the whole world. He quickly told me that I was making the most historic candidacy for the United Nations, and so I took the plunge. In planning the project, I had to gather together all the support in an organisation called Football World Heritage, which is based in England. It's been three years since its inception and, basically, my mission is to bring together 211 nations, the best clubs and players in the world, counting on the support of each one of them. I look forward to achieving the goal before 2026, so that football can become a world heritage before the next World Cup.

How is the project going so far?
It’s going really well. I feel close to people. I have been in constant contact with supporters, and I realise that the desire to return to the authenticity once experienced in football has increased. Currently, I think we are too focused on the financial aspect when we should be looking at the humanitarian aspect as well. We can use this "power” that is football to make things beautiful.

How?
It’s all about how we can support the United Nations programme through education, science, and culture. Therefore, my current role is to speak with the managers and launch an appeal to them, reminding them not only of the sporting aspect, but also of the cultural aspect of the sport. At the moment, I am in dialogue with Heads of State, the Football Federation, FIFA staff and basically everyone, so that, in the end, the intrinsic beauty of football prevails. I believe that football is the tool that can unite the world. We went through very difficult times, with a crisis following the pandemic, but whenever there was a football match, people gathered. It’s all about family and friendship, about sharing. Football happens off the field too. The federation, clubs, politicians, heads of state can do more. It is a global force that must be united. I’m just here to gather people and seal the gate, just to bridge the gap, as a messenger. But they can help more.

And why does football deserve to be World Heritage?
Our oath dictates the following: I undertake to support football’s candidacy for world heritage of humanity because it is universal, goes beyond language, culture, and religion; because it is signed by all the intentions of the world; because millions of young people meet through football and grow together with it. Therefore, it is an expansive modality, related to the spirit of victory and team spirit. Billions of human beings adore her. And in the end, it’s because it’s worth it.
With the campaign we are running, the aim is to reach 2026 with a billion Euros raised. The destination of the amount is essentially based on three pillars. Education. Next is gender equality, in fact, I have been meeting with different organisations, such as UN Women, with a view to creating specific programmes for women, as I believe that football can be a tool for emancipation. And finally, there is the pillar of sustainability. When I was with the President of UNESCO, Altay Cengizer, it was very important that we find a way to emphasise this aspect, because there is so much world heritage that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, but that does not have enough resources to be preserved... And, from what I see, football also needs to get out of the box, because the world is evolving.

We know you created a ball…
Messages are important, but so is materialising them. It was then that I designed the Omnia Ball. Omnia means «all together», and the model is a true tribute to planet Earth. We managed to get some heads of state to sign it, in fact, the first was signed by Emmanuel Macron and the second by the president of UNESCO. We also have balls signed by President George Weah, Prince Albert, Charles Leclerc and many more. Through a ball, we pass the message.
On the other hand, I have a social action that is very special to me, «One Child, One Smile». We cannot say that football is a world heritage if there are children who don’t even have the money to buy a ball. We want to give them opportunities to pursue their dreams. The idea is to launch this campaign with the support of football players, who act as flag bearers for each country. That’s why we selected two or three players from each country to represent the signatory nation, going out into the street to give away footballs to children who aspire to get involved in football. It seems like nothing, but they are symbols of hope.

«Women bring a different spirt to the world of football»

P. Rights Reserved

Despite the significant advances in women’s football in recent years, how do you explain the striking pay gap between men and women?
The truth is that women are part of men’s world. Even if politicians deny it, we continue to be in their world. I think it’s up to women to show that they can reach this level, but, of course, the commitment must come from men, who have to give the female figure a hand. I speak not only at an institutional level, but also in the field. Furthermore, women bring a different spirit to the world of football, full of feminine energy and glamour.

Gender inequality, racism and laws that prevent trans people from playing the sport have been criticisms directed at the world of football. Bigotry is on the list too. Under such circumstances, how can football become a uniting factor between people?
Efforts have to be made to change this kind of trends. The beauty of football is really the union, with human rights inherent to it. In this sport there can be no barriers in terms of gender, religion, economic or political power. No one can limit access to those who aspire to join the world of football. Football is respect and love.

You booked a few days to visit Portugal. Did you come on behalf of your mission?
Yes. We already have the support of more than 80 countries, and we hope Portugal will be one of them. At some point I will even have to meet with the President of the Republic and discuss how Portugal can get involved in the project. Football is truly in the soul of the Portuguese people; it is part of their identity.

And Portugal may be the source for brilliant ideas for other projects…
I must say yes. Well, in my family there has always been contact with the world of art. Over time, I had the opportunity to admire the works of the greatest artists of the last century, such as Dali, Picasso and Magritte, and even modern artists, such as Jeff Koons and Nicolas de Staël. They were all inspired by the world of football and I began to realise the importance of this symbology. In this regard, and because an artist is a messenger of peace and art is heritage, I am getting involved in a project, together with a friend, which aims to reflect the talent of a Portuguese artist in a special edition. The idea is to create a unique work of art, making a special edition of 100 balls for sale. This ambition will support the action "One Child, One Smile”, through the monies raised. With the support of artists, we can help children to make their dreams come true...

How would you define today’s Vanushka?
She’s a simple girl, who thinks with her heart for a better world.

30 October 2023

T. Joana Rebelo