McDonald’s Malta yesterday launched their local Player Escort Programme, a unique initiative that will give a child aged 6-10 the opportunity to walk onto the pitch hand in hand with one of the world’s best football players while being watched by millions of fans.

Addressing the press yesterday, Joanna Ellis, the company’s Marketing Manager, said the lucky child will be a player escort in the Opening Game of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, due to be held on 9 June, between hosts Germany and Costa Rica.

The player escort will be selected in a drawing competition that will be open to all Maltese children between 6 and 10 years of age as of June 9, 2006. The children will be required to draw a picture of themselves participating in their favourite sporting activity. Applications to participate in this competition can be found in any McDonald’s restaurant in Malta or Gozo and all entries must be returned to McDonald’s by not later than 15 April.

Entries will then be judged by a panel that includes MOC members Pippo Psaila and Laurie Pace, editor of the Sunday Circle Ramona Depares, TV presenter Peter Gauci and former local football great, Carmel Busuttil.

The player escort prize will consist of return flights to Munich, Germany for the winner and one parent/guardian. While in Germany they will be looked after for the duration of their stay, including accommodation, sightseeing, meals and two category two tickets to the match itself on June 9 2006. The player escort will also receive both a rehearsal kit and an official match uniform including shirt, shorts, socks and footwear – these will be kept by the lucky winner.

Also attending the press yesterday at their St Julian’s Restaurant, were Melo Hili, Managing Director of McDonald’s Malta, John Correa, Chief Executive of McDonald’s Malta