Gullit among legends set for tsunami benefit

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.