It is common to see young adorable children holding hands with footballers as they accompany them to the pitch ahead of every match, particularly in the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League tournaments.
However, very few individuals have any idea on why and how children began to be used as mascots.
TeamKenya.co.ke, looks at the history behind children mascots.
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The tradition started ahead of the memorable 2002 World Cup that was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
Prior to the commencement of the tournament, the world football governing body and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), joined hands and launched a campaign called “Say Yes For Children”.
According to a press statement released by UNICEF, the move was meant to build a better world for children.
"During World Cup matches and in television spots featuring top footballers, every football fan in the world is being encouraged to act on behalf of children.
“In addition, children are being given a prime role at each match, accompanying each player on to the pitch in a symbolic action reminding football enthusiasts that they have a major role to play in building a world fit for children,” part of the statement from UNICEF read then.
When the tradition started, only one kid was used as mascot by each team before changes were made, allowing all the 22 players to be escorted by children.
Ex-Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was among the first children mascots.
In 1996, during a derby match involving arch-rivals Everton and Liverpool, Rooney accompanied the Everton players to the pitch at the start of the game.
A few years later, he made his debut for Everton and went on to become one of the most lethal strikers to have ever played the beautiful game.
In most leagues, including the English Premier League (EPL), parents have to pay a fee for their children to be used as mascots.
An article published by The Guardian in 2014 revealed that some of the EPL clubs charge more that $724 (approximately Ksh 89,000) for their kids to play the role of a mascot.
Some of the benefits that mascots in the EPL get include signed footballs, a free junior kit, match tickets and photos of the day.