The 2010 Special Olympics Team at the Special Olympics Unity Cup,

FIFA World Cup

Mark Liggins, Special Olympics New Zealand Athlete and Steve Sumner, All Whites 1982 World Cup captain represent New Zealand (back row 6th and 7th from left). Photo courtesy of Action Images.

On 3 July, the Coca-Cola Company together with Special Olympics proudly shared in a historic moment as 16 Special Olympics athletes, football legends and celebs, along with his Excellency President Zuma, took to the pitch at Cape Town stadium for the Special Olympics Unity Cup Presented by Coca-Cola. Keeping with the theme of “unity” the match fittingly ended in a 2-2 draw.  The two teams – names “Special Stars” and “Happiness United” enjoyed a 20-minute match on the FIFA stadium pitch. 

All four goals in the match were scored by Special Olympics athletes.  The first goal was scored by Manolis Tampakakis of Special Olympics Greece.  Maicon Santana of Special Olympics Brazil then scored to tie the match at 1-1.  Special Olympics Slovenia athlete Miran Brejc scored to put the “Special Stars” up 2-1.  At the end of the match, Special Olympics Algeria athlete Yacine Zabi scored for “Happiness United” to tie the match at 2-2 with an amazing scissor kick. “This was an incredible event and just the beginning – the world is hungry for unity as was seen on the field today,” said Timothy P. Shriver, chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. 

New Zealand was well represented at the historic match with both Mark Liggins, a member of the Special Olympics North Harbour football team, and Steve Sumner, the All Whites 1982 World Cup captain, taking the field.

Click here to view highlights of the match.

Click Here to view Attitude TV's Unity Cup Special

Special Olympics Unity Cup Team Photo (Mark Liggins row two, on far right; Steve Sumner immediately behind him with hand on Mark's shoulder). Credit Special Olympics.

Click here for more information about the Unity Cup

Meet the Unity Cup Team

Mark was featured on a short segment of Attitude on 30 May. Watch it online here

A documentary about the Unity Cup will be the subject of Attitude on 13 and 27 June at 8.30 am on TV1. Check out updated programme schedule.

Read what the North Shore Times had to say about Mark Liggins

Read more about Steve Sumner playing in the Unity Cup

Read about Steve Sumner in the Christchurch Press

Read the official press release announcing Mark being chosen for the Unity Cup

                                        

Copyright Special Olympics New Zealand 2007

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
Special Olympics Athletes' Oath