NZ footballers to play Special Olympics Unity Cup

New Zealand footballers head to Cape Town to play in Special Olympics Unity Cup

Two New Zealand football players are off to Cape Town to play in the Special Olympics Unity Cup presented by Coca-Cola. Mark Liggins, a 36 year-old centre forward who plays for the Special Olympics North Harbour team, and Steve Sumner FIFA Order of Merit and captain of the 1982 All Whites will take part in a very special event during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in Cape Town, South Africa.

On 3 July the inaugural “Special Olympics Unity Cup” presented by Coca-Cola promises to be unlike any FIFA World Cup™ event ever before played. It will unite some of the world’s greatest football legends, celebrities and international figures with 16 Special Olympics athletes, to play together in a 20-minute match at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa at 2:00 PM (local time, Cape Town) just prior to the respective Quarter Final game (Match 59).

Mark Liggins was chosen to represent New Zealand and is a great example of how being involved in Special Olympics can change a person’s life. Due to Mark’s intellectual disability, he has difficulty reading and writing. As a young person in school he faced many challenges until he discovered his athletic skills. Participating in sports through Special Olympics has provided Mark with an environment of acceptance that has helped him to build up his self-confidence. Mark’s two brothers also played football, and he looked to follow in their footsteps on the sports’ field. While he has been playing football on-and-off for most of his life, Mark has really honed his skills in the past few years by playing with Special Olympics New Zealand. Most recently, Mark traveled to the 2009 Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games and won medals in football. Playing football has given Mark a confidence that has led him to become a fierce competitor on the field and a good friend and teammate, both on and off the pitch. His time with Special Olympics has strengthened his courage to try new things—he even traveled to London by himself recently to visit his brother. He is now looking forward to traveling to South Africa to play in the Unity Cup. Mark also has a full-time job cutting and splitting firewood. When he is not working or playing football he enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, Reba, walking along the beach. Mark also participates in basketball. His coaches describe him as a mature, fit and talented player who consistently encourages the youth who surround him. Special Olympics has provided Mark the opportunity to develop his sports skills and has helped him realize that he does have ability, potential and talent to open up a whole new world of possibility.

Celebrity football players include: •

Steve Sumner, former New Zealand ‘All Whites’ captain

Zhang Ziyi, Chinese actress and Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Dikembe Mutombo, NBA legend and Global Ambassador

President Jacob G. Zuma, his Excellency, of South Africa

Enrique Borja, Mexican striker for Mexican National team from 1966-1975

Teofilo Cubillas, South American Player of the Year

Desiree Ellis, former captain of South Africa’s National Women’s Football Team and FIFA Ambassador for 2010

Lorrie Fair, first American women to play in Premier Women’s League and played on USA World Cup Championship Team in 1999

Kevin Keegan, player and former coach of several football teams in England, and manager of Newcastle United

Christian Kerembeu, player on France national team from 1992-2002 and on FIFA World Cup Championship team

Hidetoshi Nakata, Asia Player of the Year, AC Roma

Lucas Radebe, former Leeds and South African player; former South African National Football Team captain

Clarence Seedorf, of AC Milan

Alan Shearer, former New Castle United and all-time Premier League goal scorer

Mark Liggins and his coach Kevin Hodges depart Auckland mid-day on 30 June and return on 6 July. Steve Sumner departs from Christchurch mid-day 30 June and returns to Auckland mid-day 6 July. All men are available for interviews before, during and after the trip

About Special Olympics Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more nearly 3.5 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. END

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