Friday 29 March 2024

Vodafone Cup promotes sport as tool for social change

Pictured above: Stevan Pecorella, Oliver Manicaro, Glenn Vassallo, Andre Schembri, Matthew Borg, Matthew Coleiro & Christian Briffa

A team from Vodafone Malta took part in the Vodafone Cup 2012 – an international 5-a-side football tournament played out between Vodafone companies in six countries.  The tournament was an initiative which forms part of Vodafone’s global partnership agreement with the international social organisation, the Laureus Foundation. The matches were held at the Soccer Dome in London.

Vodafone companies in Malta, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Iceland and United Kingdom took part in this tournament and the Malta team placed 4th in the final standings. The Vodafone Malta team was represented by Chris Briffa, Andre Schembri, Matthew Borg, Stevan Pecorella, Matthew Coleiro, Glenn Vassallo and coach Oliver Manicaro.

The Vodafone Cup offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for different Vodafone companies to represent their country, receive coaching and rub shoulders  with international football legends as well as attending the exclusive Laureus World Sports Awards.

Laureus is an organisation that promotes the use of sport as a tool for social change and celebrates sporting excellence. The aim of Laureus is to create global awards that recognise the achievements of today’s sports heroes. It also works to bring sports people together to support a message that can help social projects around the world by using sport as a tool for change.  The organisation’s work is done through three arms:  the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the Laureus World Sports Academy and the Laureus World Sports Awards.

The team from Vodafone Malta attended the Laureus Awards night where numerous sports personalities and entertainment celebrities gathered together for this annual occasion.  The team had the opportunity to meet with Alex Ferguson, Bear Grills, Andres Villas Boas, Arsen Wenger, Alberto Tomba, Alan Shearer, Bar Rafaeli and Lennox Lewis among others.

Team coach Oliver Manicaro said “My team and I were over enthusiastic about this once in a life time opportunity. Working with Vodafone meant that we had access to the Laureus event and that we could meet sports and entertainment celebrities. The very low temperatures in London did not dampen our spirits and we gave our all during the football matches. Thanks to the collaboration between Vodafone and Laureus we were given VIP treatment throughout our visit. This was a truly memorable experience for all of us.”


From left Stevan Pecorella, Christian Briffa, Matthew Coleiro, Oliver Manicaro, Andre Schembri, Glenn Vassallo Matthew Borg & Hassan Bayjou (the team’s host)

 

 

Powered by