A Charity For Children
MTG United for Peace gives children the chance to meet and make friends through football.
Imanta Orphanage triumphs at the Latvian MTG United for Peace tournament
The first MTG United for Peace football tournament in Latvia was held on 27 August at the Olympic Sports Centre in Riga. The tournament featured seven teams from all over the country – the Valmiera SOS Village, the Imanta Orphanage, the Liepāja Orphanage, the Īslīce SOS Village, the Naujiena Orphanage, the Saurieši Day Centre and the Orphanage Līkumi – all competing for the chance to go to Norway’s capital Oslo to represent their nation in the MTG United for Peace Cup on 10 October this year.
After an exciting day’s football, two teams made it through to the final - the Saurieši Day Centre and the Imanta Orphanage. A close contest was eventually decided by a late goal, which came literally minutes before the final whistle and saw the children from the Imanta Orphanage crowned winners. Following the final, two players from the Latvian national football team showed off their skills for the children.
More football was to come, however, as the hosts of the tournament, TV3, put together an “All-Stars” team to play against the children. The “All-Stars” featured the Latvian national team players plus TV3 staff including Jānis Krēvics, the host of the show Nothing Personal, the journalist Ansis Pūpols, TV3 news anchor Ģederts Ģelzis, TV3 weather forecaster and Cinema-mania host Jānis Strapcāns, the TV3 show Singing with Stars second prize winner Raivo Rosts and sports editor Toms Circenis.
The first 10 minute period was played against seven kids (one from each of the participating teams) whilst the second period was much more exciting because the TV3 hosts had to compete with 14 children (two from each centre) on the pitch at the same time. The All-Stars were defeated 4-1. Still, the stars will have a chance for a rematch next year when the second Latvian MTG United for Peace Cup tournament will take place.
