Gullit among legends set for tsunami benefit

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Former leading European soccer players will test their skills against some of the best of Southeast Asia and put their memorabilia on the block in a tsunami charity match on Feb. 28.

Ruud Gullit of the Netherlands, Jean Tigana and Laurent Blanc of France and Scot Gary McCallister are among the "legends" who will take on the Indonesia All Stars, including Fandi Ahmad of Singapore, Piyapong Pue On of Thailand and Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto of Indonesia.

The match, to be held in Bung Karno Stadium, Central Jakarta, is organized by cellular phone service provider PT Excelcomindo Pratama (XL) along with the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) and Octagon SE Asia Marketing Pte. Ltd. It is supported by UNICEF.

Tickets range in price from Rp 10,000 (US$1.10) to Rp 300,000 each.

An auction of player souvenirs will be held for invitees to a gala dinner the night before the match; also included for the highest bidder is the chance to play with the legends in the last five minutes of the game.

XL sales and marketing director Rudiantara said on Friday funds raised from the game would be earmarked for the education of children left orphaned by the Dec. 26 tragedy.

"We are glad that the idea to hold a charity match received a remarkable response from the soccer legends," he said.

Fandi, Indonesia national team coach Peter Withe -- who will also coach the Indonesia All Stars -- and PSSI senior official Mohamed Zein were also present at the press conference.

Fandi, who has played in recent years for Niac Mitra in the Galatama League, said he was happy to be part of the charity match because Indonesia was a special place to him.

"It's wonderful to see that the soccer community can come together to do something for the children of Aceh. I believe that education represents hope for them and will allow them to rebuild (their lives) and realize all the dreams they have," he said.