Ardiles keen to explore Malta and promote a good cause - organiser

Tottenham fans and other local football enthusiasts must be relishing the opportunity to meet Argentine legend Ossie Ardiles this week. Kevin Azzopardi spoke to sports consultant Carly Barnes, the woman behind Ardiles's visit to Malta.

Osvaldo Cesar 'Ossie' Ardiles is a football icon and one of the true legends to have graced the Beautiful Game.

Ardiles, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1978, is perhaps best remembered for his five-star performance in the 1981 FA Cup final, when he and fellow Argentine midfielder Ricky Villa inspired Tottenham to a famous victory over Manchester City.

Ardiles, who turns 57 today, also helped Spurs to retain that trophy the following year and to win the UEFA Cup in 1984, and even found time to star in the classic football film Escape to Victory alongside other football greats like Bobby Moore and Pele and famous actors like Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.

How did the visit come about and how do you know Ardiles?

The actual idea came about last year. I attended the Soccerex football conference in Johannesburg with Sheffield United. We were presenting a speech to delegates and Ossie was also addressing delegates about 'The Art of Winning'.

I told Ossie how beautiful Malta is and how popular football is on the islands. I, perhaps cheekily, took the opportunity to try to persuade Ossie to visit Malta.

Ossie is a well-loved footballer and World Cup hero, so he's in demand. Thus, I wasn't sure if he would say yes, but I'm absolutely delighted to have persuaded him to take some time out from his busy schedule to visit Malta.

Why did you recommend Malta to Ardiles as opposed to other locations?

I love Malta. I have a holiday home here and have been visiting with my family since I was at school. It's my second home and I am rather synonymous with Malta in the football industry.

Everybody knows how much I love Malta. I am always impressed at how much passion there is for football in Malta and so I knew it would mean a lot for football fans on the islands to meet Ardiles - especially the Spurs faithful.

I also think Ossie and his wife will have a really nice holiday and enjoy themselves in Malta and Gozo.

What are the plans for the week?

There are some really interesting events taking place. Peter Paul Gauci, of Kick Off fame, is a good friend of mine and has organised a very exciting charity event - a screening of Escape to Victory at the Embassy Cinemas on Thursday.

Ardiles will be guest of honour and of course starred in the film. We also have some events planned for the Tottenham Supporters' Club, including a visit to Gozo.

The Tottenham Supporters' Club have been fantastic in supporting this visit and so I am really looking forward to seeing all the happy faces and meeting the fans at the events.

Aside from that, we are looking forward to enjoying the Ramla Bay hotel. I am sure Ossie will love the tranquil location.

Why have you chosen Inspire as the charity benefiting from this event?

It's a great cause. Peter Paul Gauci took me to Razzett tal-Ħbiberija in Marsascala some time ago and I was really impressed with the facilities. My brother has Down's Syndrome so it's a cause close to my heart.

Ardiles is also co-chairman of Special Olympics Global Football Advisory Committee, promoting the new Global Football initiative to generate greater public awareness, acceptance and respect for people with disabilities, so it's a cause close to Ossie's heart too.

How have you found Ardiles to work with?

He is fantastic. So polite and genuinely enthusiastic about the visit. He is such an interesting person to bring to Malta.

As a footballer, he was a genius but for Maltese players his significance is perhaps that after winning the World Cup with Argentina in 1978, Ardiles became the first foreign player to make an impact in England, paving the way for the modern era of multi-national teams and inclusion of foreign players.

He also studied law and comes from a family of lawyers so we share a common interest in the law and football which should make for an interesting week.

You represent some of Malta's top players such as Justin Haber and Michael Mifsud and most recently were involved in Andrè Schembri's transfer to Austrian club SK Kaernten. Have you spoken to Ardiles about your work in Maltese football?

Ardiles was very interested and wants to know more about my players and Maltese football.

Advice from a legend such as Ardiles with experience as both a player and manager is invaluable.

Ardiles has a unique experience of football.

I often seek advice from former players and managers. Glenn Roeder and Harry Redknapp in particular have been brilliant. I hope some of Malta's young players will come to the screening of Escape to Victory to meet Ossie and ask some good questions.