MALAYSIAN KIDS TO ESCORT UEFA PLAYERS ONTO PITCH

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Seven children or "Little Champions" from
Malaysia will live their dreams of marching onto the football pitch,
hand-in-hand with some of the world's top players at the upcoming UEFA Champions
League - the most important tournament in European club football.

MasterCard, official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, has joined hands
with Standard Chartered to offer each of the seven children the `priceless'
experience of being part of the march-in entourage for one among several
selected matches at the UEFA Champions League 2009/2010.

"We are happy to give our customers in Malaysia a unique opportunity to be
at the heart of the match, cheered by all football fans in Malaysia and watched
by audiences across the world," said country head of consumer banking, Standard
Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd, Tiew Siew Chuen, in a statement here.

The "Little Champions" from Malaysia will join 38 others from Singapore,
Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates - all aged between seven
and nine - to be the first in Asia and the Middle East to escort world-class
football players at the UEFA Champions League matches.

The campaign will be held in two phases to select seven children in total
from Malaysia.

This kicks off with five children who will win a trip to the United Kingdom
to participate as "Little Champions" at the fifth group stage match between
Manchester United FC and Besiktas JK, which will be held on Nov 25, 2009.

Air fares will be courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank, and hotel stay and
the UEFA Champions League tickets for both the child and accompanying adult will
be courtesy of MasterCard.

Subsequently, two children from Malaysia will be selected for the knockout
round that will be held in March 2010.

"Soccer is a great sport that teaches the young about team-work and
sportsmanship. As a proud supporter of soccer and sponsor of the UEFA Champions
League, we look forward to offering these children an unforgettable
experience,"vice president and senior country manager, Malaysia and Brunei said,
Jim Cheah, meanwhile said.
-- BERNAMA