Charity soccer set to kick off

From: Gulf Daily News, Bahrain - Aug 4, 2004

MORE than 200 able-bodied and disabled sportsmen are expected to take part in a major sporting event this month.

The Second Open Charity Football Penalty Shoot-Out Championship is set to be held on August 19 at the Juffair Youth Sports Centre Hall (Juffair Dome).

The Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation (BDSF) is organising the event in co-ordination with Phoenix Creations.

It is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of His Majesty King Hamad and president of the Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation.

Its goal is to highlight the talent of disabled sportsmen in Bahrain. Event chief coordinator Cherian Mathews said about 30 teams of seven members each are expected to take part in the championship.

The teams confirmed so far are Sabtco, Ahli United Bank, Batelco, Sheraton Hotel, The Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Standard Chartered Bank, Ebrahim K Kanoo, Garmco, Trafco, Berlitz Bahrain, Nonoo Exchange Company, Yousuf Salahuddin, BDSF Deaf Committee, BDSF and the Public Security Sports Association. The tournament will be conducted as League cum Knock-out basis.

There will be eight different groups and the teams will play each other in each group.

All the sponsors and participating teams will be honoured during a special function.

In the event of any dispute, the decision of the technical committee will be final.

"One of the special attraction of this year's championship is that three lucky sponsors of the teams participating in the championship will win special prizes worth over $2,500 and 15 lucky players will get individual gifts regardless olf their points and positions in the event," said Mr Mathews.

Meanwhile, Yousuf Salahuddin has become the latest company to sponsor the event.

Company chairman Yousuf Salahuddin handed over a cheque, worth BD600, to BDSF managing director Essam Kamal in a ceremony.

BDSF president Major General Shaikh Daij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa expressed his thanks and appreciation for the support received from Mr Salahuddin. He also appealed to companies and business firms to participate in this event by entering at least one team from each company.

"As there is no gate collection, we have to rely on liberal donations to meet the expenses and raise the funds for our various activities," he said.

Finalised details of the event will be announced soon.

To sponsor the event or enter a team contact Mr Mathews on 39336575 or 17877111 or Jassim Hassan on 39335466 or 17789191 or fax 17877171.

Copyright © 2004, Gulf Daily News