Local boys to take part in W. Cup

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia may have failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, but the country will still be represented at the quadrennial event.

Four Indonesian boys will take part in the opening and closing ceremonies as part of the Players Escort Program. The program is the result of a cooperation between soccer's world governing body, FIFA, and the McDonald's chain of fast-food restaurants.

Azhim Firdaus and Muhammad Michael Killian, both from Jakarta, will take part in the opening ceremony in Seoul before the opening match of the tournament, between holder France and Senegal.

Adam Said Parwata of Pangkal Pinang, Bangka-Belitung, and Dwitya Harits Waskito of Bogor, West Java, will participate in the closing ceremony after the final match on June 30 in Yokohama, Japan.

They will join more than 1,400 other boys and girls from 10 countries, including cohosts Japan and South Korea, England, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Turkey and Uruguay.

"FIFA is providing children the chance to have direct involvement in the World Cup starting this year. Earlier, the event was deemed only for adults," McDonald's Indonesia general manager Koko Hadiono said in a written statement.

Before the opening ceremony, the children will meet with FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the chairman of the organizing committee for the Germany 2006 World Cup, Franz Beckenbauer, and South Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki.

"We deliberately picked the opening match and the final match, from a total of 64 matches, for the Indonesian escorts. Both matches will receive wider coverage," said McDonald's Indonesia community marketing manager Cepi S Husada.