THE FIRST Portuguese Red Cross Open, which has received great support from the President of the Republic, Jorge Sampaio, will be played on the Gramacho golf course in Carvoeiro (Algarve) on June 18.
The event is organised in partnership with the Delegação da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa de Faro (Faro branch of the Portuguese Red Cross), Solverde, the Pestana Group and Portuguese television station, RTP, and aims to raise money for the conversion of an office building in Faro into a rehabilitation centre.
The tournament is open to all and enrolment can be made at Gramacho Pestana Golf or at the Delegação da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa in Faro. Entry costs 70 euros and includes a gala dinner with live music at the Vilamoura Casino, at which the prize giving ceremony will be held.
Football stars to take part
Between 150 and 200 golfers are expected to take part in the tournament including big names from Portuguese football. Those confirmed to play so far include former manager of the Portuguese national team, Humberto Coelho, as well as footballers Frederico Rosa and Carlos Xavier.
Portuguese fashion designer, Fátima Lopes, has agreed to design a set of blazers for the winning team and will be present at the gala dinner to present the special prizes in person. According to the organisers, it is also hoped that Luís Figo and Rui Costa will confirm their participation in the charity tournament, among other top football names.
The event represents a continuation of the campaign entitled “Protect Children in War”, promoted by the International Red Cross Committee and UEFA during the Euro 2004 football championship.
The new care centre proposed for Faro is to include 12 beds, a canteen and other necessary facilities for the temporary housing of people who have found themselves excluded from society. Despite co-financing by the European Union and the Portuguese State, it is still necessary to raise 100,000 euros to carry out the reconstruction works.
