The KNVB visits Mayor Mamdani in New York

The visit followed the “Orange Takes Over New York” campaign, during which iconic black-and-white photos of the Dutch national soccer team appeared on the screens in Times Square. - Foto: KNVB Media

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani welcomed KNVB President Frank Paauw and Secretary General Gijs de Jong to New York on Monday.

During this meeting, which focused on the social impact of soccer, he received a special photo book containing unique portraits of the Dutch national team players from photographer Roger Neve on behalf of the KNVB. This took place after the match against Uzbekistan, where 50 high school students had the opportunity to attend the Dutch team’s closed-door match. 

The visit followed the “Oranje Takes Over New York” campaign, during which iconic black-and-white photos of the Dutch national team appeared on the screens in Times Square.

“It’s wonderful that, in collaboration with the mayor, we were able to give these 50 children a fantastic afternoon of soccer,” said Frank Paauw. “Soccer has the power to strengthen communities. We’ve made the world a little bit more orange again.”

Special relationship

Mamdani is known for his great passion for sports, and soccer in particular. He has previously worked to make the World Cup more accessible to New Yorkers and launched the Soccer Streets initiative this year, transforming streets around dozens of schools into car-free soccer zones for youth.

Gijs de Jong: “New York and the Netherlands have a special relationship. The mayor is a true soccer fan and uses sports to keep children mentally and physically healthy. We’ve been welcomed very warmly and, of course, hope to return here on July 19 for the final. But first, we have the match against Japan in Dallas.”