THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Bhutia scores in Laureus Football Challenge

Laureus Charity Match with Baichung Bhutia

Laureus Charity Match with Baichung Bhutia

India captain Baichung Bhutia took part in the star-studded Laureus Football Challenge earlier today and scored one of the goals in the charity match.

The first-ever Laureus Football Challenge was part of the 2011 Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi. The Laureus Football Challenge was a prestige seven-a-side match of two halves of 30 minutes each, played between two all-star teams.

Baichung’s “Laureus Red Team” consisted of players like former Oranje stars Ronald de Boer and Edgar Davids, German World Cup winner Thomas Berthold, former England and Liverpool midfielder Steve McMannaman, former Man United star striker Dwight Yorke and many more biggies of the beautiful game. The “Laureus Red Team” was managed by legendary Sir Bobby Charlton.

The talismanic India striker scored one of the goals of the charity match, which took place just hours before a glittering Laureus World Sports Awards night at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

Talking to the media gathering, Baichung said: “It feels great to be a part of such an event although I have done such charity appearances even earlier but it is always special. It is great that I scored but in such an event where the aim is to raise funds for a good cause, it does not really matter whether you score or not… just being a part of it is a big thing!”

The Bora Milutinovic coached “Laureus White Team” saw Italy’s World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, Portugal legend Luis Figo and French international Patrick Vieira amongst many others in action.

Charlton and Milutinovic were assisted by Carlos Queiroz and legendary German international and coach Franz Beckenbauer.

The game raised 500,000 Euros for the Laureus Sports Foundation and the Emirates Sports Foundation.

I will try to get some video footage of the Laureus Football Challenge! Please keep on checking www.chrispd.de for further updates!