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Annual one million Swiss Franc charity cheque awarded to ELA

UEFA has awarded its annual 1 million Swiss Franc charity cheque to the foundation of the European Leukodistrophy Association (ELA). The award will be presented by UEFA President Michel Platini to the President of ELA Guy Alba and the ambassador of ELA Zinédine Zidane, during the UEFA Champions League draw in Monaco on Thursday 28 August at 18:00.

Since 1992, the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA) has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about genetic diseases, finance medical research and help the families affected by this tragic illness. To find a cure faster, the European Leukodystrophy Association, has created a research foundation dedicated to all myelin diseases.

Leukodystrophies are genetic diseases that destroy the nerve sheath (myelin) of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Once this sheath is damaged, the electrical current does not flow and the nerves impulses are interrupted.

For more information on the European Leukodistrophy Association, go to www.ela-asso.com

Since 1998, UEFA has used the Monaco gala events – which include the European Football Awards and the UEFA Super Cup match, and herald a new club competition season – to announce the donation of a one million Swiss Franc cheque to a charitable cause.

The previous donations from UEFA have been made to the following organisations: Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE): football-related projects for people with learning disabilities (1998); International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): in favour of victims of war (1999 and 2000); Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE): campaign against racism in football (2001); Danish Cross Cultures Projects Association (CCPA): grassroots Open Fun Football Schools Project in the Balkan and Caucasus regions (2002); Make-A-Wish
Foundation ® International (2003); International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) (2004); ProPoor Sports – Organiser of the Homeless Wolrdcup (2005); International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) (2006); and Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) (2007).

Twenty players in contention for UEFA Club Footballer of the Year 2008

UEFA today announced the nominees for the UEFA Club Football Awards to be presented during the UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw to be held in Monaco on Thursday 28 August at 18:00 CET.

The voting procedure gives the coaches of the 16 teams that reached the knock-out phase of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League the possibility to cast their votes further to the selection of a shortlist of five players for each position by the UEFA Champions League Technical Observers.

The list of nominees is below:

UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year:
Manuel Almunia Arsenal FC
Petr Cech Chelsea FC
Manuel Neuer FC Schalke 04
Pepe Reina Liverpool FC
Edwin van der Sar Manchester United FC
UEFA Club Defender of the Year:
Jamie Carragher Liverpool FC
Rio Ferdinand Manchester United FC
Carles Puyol FC Barcelona
John Terry Chelsea FC
Nemanja Vidic Manchester United FC
UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year:
Michael Essien Chelsea FC
Cesc Fàbregas Arsenal FC
Steven Gerrard Liverpool FC
Frank Lampard Chelsea FC
Paul Scholes Manchester United FC
UEFA Club Forward of the Year:
Didier Drogba Chelsea FC
Lionel Messi FC Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United FC
Wayne Rooney Manchester United FC
Fernando Torres Liverpool FC
The UEFA Club Footballer of the Year 2008 is elected by the sixteen coaches from the
above pool of twenty nominees.

Federal Triangles Soccer Club (FTSC) of Washington, D.C. to Host Tournament

The International Gay Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) (http://www.iglfa.org/) has awarded the Federal Triangles Soccer Club (FTSC) of Washington DC the 2009 Gay Soccer World Championships (http://www.iglfa2009.org/). The tournament is scheduled to take place June 14th - June 21st, 2009.

The 2008 Gay Soccer World Championship is being held in London starting on August 24th (http://www.londonwc2008.co.uk/) and is expecting close to 40 teams representing 13 countries. The London tournament is the first major sporting event being hosted in the city as the Olympic torch is being handed to London 2012 from Beijing. The 2009 tournament in Washington, D.C. will be the first time the IGLFA is hosting the tournament in North America, outside of the Gay Games, since 2004. This will also be the second time that FTSC is hosting the tournament, as it was previously held in Washington, D.C. in 1997.

The organizing committee for the 2009 tournament is feverishly working to set up the tournament sites with games expected to be played in and around the Washington, D.C. area, culminating with the Championships to be played on Sat. June 20th. FTSC working with strong support from the city government and services, as well as from the IGLFA and the gay community.

Quotes:

“On behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, we look forward to hosting this prestigious event. In addition to promoting good sportsmanship it affirms our city’s reputation as being inclusive and tolerant. We look forward to welcoming the world to our nation’s capital.” Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty http://www.dc.gov/mayor/index.shtm

“IGLFA 2009 will put the international spotlight on DC’s dynamic sports scene and vibrant GLBT community. Both international and GLBT markets have proven to be big spenders when traveling, so the image and economic benefits are significant for the city.”

Bill Hanbury, president and CEO of Destination DC http://tinyurl.com/5g752j

“We are thrilled to have the prestigious IGLFA tournament returning to our wonderful city. We are confident that the world class fields and facilities we are providing will make the experience a memorable one for players and fans alike. The men and women traveling to our city to take part in the Championship will find a city rich in history, a region full of exciting sights, and a culture of acceptance that will make them feel welcome.” Jim Ensor, 2008 President, Federal Triangles Soccer Club www.federaltriangles.org

“We are very pleased to be having Washington, D.C. and the Federal Triangles Soccer Club hosting the 2009 IGLFA Tournament. The city and the club have showed tremendous support throughout the bid process. We are also very happy to be bringing the tournament back to North America for the first time in five years and are sure the next WC2009 will be one of the best.” Tomas Gomez, IGLFA President. www.iglfa.org

Source: Federal Triangles Soccer Club