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” which depicts 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 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 competition, which was organised between mid-March and mid-April, was open to all Maltese children between six and 10 years of age, who were required to draw a picture of themselves participating in their favourite sporting activity. The entries were judged by a panel that included 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. The player escort will also receive both a rehearsal kit and an official match uniform including shirt, shorts, socks and footwear. Over and above this, the player escort will be presented with customised gifts and mementoes to mark the occasion.

Liam, who attends San Gwann Primary School, was delighted to learn that his was the chosen drawing. He is an avid artist and has a keen interest in animals – he has four birds and a cat to look after. 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!” said Liam. He added that he is overjoyed that his picture was chosen from all the entries, and that he can’t wait for the moment 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 balanced active lifestyles. Since it began at the 2002 Fifa World Cup™, the Player Escort Programme has been one of McDonald’s most successful sports programmes ever. This year there will be 1,408 children from McDonald’s restaurants from various countries participating as player escorts.