THE annual Bell/Ziadie Memorial Extravaganza will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year when players and football fans gather at Winchester Park, St George’s College on Heroes Day, Monday, October 18 for a double-header, starting at 2:00 pm.

This special event has always been a celebration and recognition of the lives of former Jamaican national footballers and coaches, Jackie Bell and Dennis Ziadie, both of whom died tragically in a motor vehicle accident while attending the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico.

The event is brainchild of Clive ‘Busy’ Campbell, a former Santos player and current manager of national track athlete Jermaine Gonzales, who was scheduled to travel with the deceased on the Mexican tour. Campbell has chosen to partner with Blueprint Consulting for the successful staging and execution of this landmark event, which will be sponsored primarily by NCB Visa Card.

The NCB Visa Classic Bell/Ziadie Memorial Extravaganza will feature two matches; The Masters, Celebrities and Entertainers versus the St George’s Old Boys Invitational Team, as well as a Sponsors 11 versus A Media Invitational 11.

The first game between the Sponsors 11 and the Media Invitational 11 kicks off at 2:00 pm, followed by entertainment, then the feature game at 4:00 pm.

Adults will be charged $300, while children under 12 years old will be admitted free.

During the entertainment segment, sponsors will provide a few challenges in which spectators can get involved, including the NCB half-line kick, the Claro juggling contest, and the Wray and Nephew penalty shoot-out.

Sponsors will also have on-the-ground giveaways, and a number of artistes will take the microphone to make impromptu performances.

Several local celebrities and entertainers have come on board this year to support the charity event with proceeds going in aid of several basic schools throughout the island, including the Feed My Sheep Basic School and the Special Olympics unit. Some of the participants in this year’s staging include Andrew Price, Nicholas Ziadie, Allie McNab, Darren Virtue, Walter Boyd, Chris Martin, Onandi Lowe, ZJ Bambino, Peter Prendergast, Chris DaCosta, Tony Curtis, and Courtney Walsh.

The event will also honour past Jamaican footballers and officials, with this year’s recipients being, Ainsley Sharpe, a former FIFA referee; Bruce Lynn, a former St George’s College Old Boy and Manning Cup player; Owen Parker, a former Jamaica/YMCA footballer and a member of the 1958 West Indies Football team, and Harold Murray.

Over the years, Campbell has honoured 69 persons, in the categories of footballers, past president of the JFF, FIFA referees, St George’s College Old Boys and administrators.

For Campbell, reaching 25 years is a proud moment. “For me, it’s like memories don’t leave like people do, they (Jackie and Dennis) were my close, close friends and when we started this event I said to myself, once I’m alive this event will continue because Jackie and Dennis must be remembered.

“It is a proud moment for me seeing that we’ve reached 25 years and all the people we’ve honoured over the years, when I think about it, I’m happy,” he said.