Football is the most popular game in the world. It is also the most popular game practised by Special Olympics across 53 countries in Europe, including Malta.

The game of football is an opportunity for Special Olympics members with intellectual disability to build their self-esteem. During the month of May in all Europe, various activities are held with the full collaboration of the European Football Union (UEFA).

In Malta also, various activities of unified football will be held where Special Olympics athletes will mix with normal players and be given the chance to play this beautiful game.

The activities kick off next Sunday at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium before the semi inal of the U* BET FA Trophy between Floriana and Birkirkara.  The activity starts at 4pm.

During the Trophy match, members of Special Olympics will go round and collect donations.  Special Olympics Malta will be participating at the World Games to be held in Athens near the end of June. Special Olympics thanked the Malta Football Associaition for their full support.

Unified football

In the meantime, later on this month, Special Olympics will be holding an interesting tournament of Unified Football where members of Special Olympics will mix with players from six different nurseries of the MFA,  Pembroke, Mosta, Pieta, Tarxien, Qormi and a team from Gozo. T

he tournament take place at the Pembroke Ground on Friday and Saturday, 20 and 21 May. On the first day there will be a brief opening ceremony and the group matches will be played, while on Saturday morning, the semifinals and the final will be held.

In Special Olympics everybody is a winner and all the participating teams and players will be receiving tokens for the occasion.