Liam Harrison Buhagiar is the lucky winner of the

Player Escort competition organised by McDonald’s Malta.

Liam, an eight-year-old from Birkirkara, submitted his entry entitled “For A Healthy Life I Follow These Steps” that pictures him participating in all the different forms of sports he has taken part in – gymnastics, athletics, judo and football.

His drawing has earned him a place as Player Escort in the opening game of this summer’s FIFA World Cup on 9 June, between hosts Germany and Costa Rica.

The competition, which was held between mid-March and mid-April, was open to all Maltese children aged between six and 10, who had to draw a picture of themselves practising their favourite sport.

The entries were judged by a panel that included MOC members Pippo Psaila and Laurie Pace, editor of Sunday Circle Ramona Depares, TV presenter Peter Gauci and former local football great Carmel Busuttil.

The player escort prize consists of return flights to Munich, Germany, for the winner and one parent/guardian, accommodation, sightseeing, meals and two category two tickets to the match itself.

The player escort will also receive both a rehearsal kit and an official match uniform including shirt, shorts, socks and footwear, as well as customised gifts and mementoes to mark the occasion.

Liam, who attends San Gwann Primary School is an avid artist and has a keen interest in animals – he has four birds and a cat. He’s a lively young boy who enjoys adventures and sports – in fact he trains with the Sliema Wanderers Nursery.

Liam also enjoys visiting McDonald’s restaurants. “I spent a lot of time thinking about what to include in my picture, and how to draw what I wanted to say. I prepared a rough draft, then left it for a few days and redid it from scratch… in fact I was worried I would miss the deadline!” He is over the moon and can’t wait to walk out on the pitch for the game.

The Player Escort programme is part of the 2006 McDonald’s FIFA World Cup sponsorship and part of McDonald’s ongoing commitment to promote balanced active lifestyles. There will be 1408 children from McDonald’s restaurants from various countries participating as player escorts.