Special Olympics Malta is to take part in another major international football competition, the 2009 Special Olympics European Seven a Side Football Tournament.

This is a very special tournament that brings together more than 200 young athletes with intellectual disabilities from 22 countries.

The competition is being held between 6 and 10 May in Lisbon.

In addition trainers from Tottenham Hotspurs Foundation and Belgium Football Federation will hold Football Clinics for the players participating.

The Torch Run will be held on 7 May, seeking to bring Olympics spirit to all the participants. The route will be from Lisbon Airport to the municipalities of Lisbon, Oeiras, Cascais and Sintra.

The Opening ceremony with performances by musicall groups and a unique show will take place on May 7 where the flag will be raised, the flame will be lit and an official declaration will open the football tournament.

The closing ceremony will be on May 10 at Praca da Maratona of the Jamor Sports Complex celebrating the success of the event with the presentation of awards to the athletes.

Malta is to take part with a contingent of 10 players under the guidance of coach Elaine Bonnici. The team has been prepared for these last months and is ready to give a creditable performance.

The players are Joseph Zarb who will be the captain, Kirsten Bonello, Michael Calleja, Nazzareno Mangion, Mark Zammit Cutajar, Antoine Pace, Ishmael Falzon, Simon Caruana, Antonio Chircop and Umberto Latina.

The Head of Delegation will be Anna Calleja, the National Sports Director, Mario Meli will be assistant Head of Delegation and other officials are Naomi Micallef and Joanna Agius.

The contingent will leave for Lisbon next Tuesday, 5 May and returns to Malta on 11 May.