Bhutia to play in Laureus Sports charity match

Adding shine to his illustrious career, Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has been invited to play in the Laureus Sports charity game along with the likes of Lionel Messi, Andre Iniesta, Rafael Nadal and Vettel.

New Delhi: Adding shine to his illustrious career, Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has been

invited to play in the Laureus Sports charity game along with the likes of Lionel Messi, Andre Iniesta, Rafael Nadal and Sebastian Vettel next month in Abu Dhabi. Top sportspersons in the world, who have been nominated for the Laureus Sports Awards 2011 to be held in Abu Dhabi on February 7, will play in a charity football game. Members of world club champions Inter Milan, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Spanish World Cup team would also be present during the charity game. Bhutia, who will be present on the Awards night on February 7, said, "It is a great honour for me to be a part of this grand sporting event. Many consider this as the Oscars of Sports and I feel privileged to be a part of it and hope to keep the flag of my country flying high." Basketball star Kobe Bryant, footballers Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel and tennis players Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Kim Clisjters have been nominated for different categories in the Laureus Sports Awards. The Awards, given annually, were established in 1999 to honour world`s most outstanding sports achievers. The winners will be selected by a comprehensive sports panel that consists of 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the living legends of sports honouring the great athletes of today. Last year`s winners included Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Jenson Button and Kim Clijsters. Bhutia played in India`s last group match of the Asian Cup against South Korea in Doha on Tuesday. He had been laid low since mid September last year due to a calf muscle injury. PTI