Kick off the mark

SOMETIMES being a young man can be tough.

You have to acquire the taste for lager with incredible speed, pretend to understand the attraction of burping, and spend hours pouring over football results the length of Europe, just so you can avoid looking an idiot while you force down that lager you haven't quite got used to yet.

Even if you don't spend your time checking out how Basle did against Grasshoppers at the weekend, you have to pay a passing interest to the beautiful game.

This is important at the moment as we are heading for the sort of summer turmoil that confuses casual fans everywhere. A play-off here, end of season there, champions being crowned and international championships about to start, it does seem a bit over the top.

If, however, you like a kick-about on a Sunday, but don't fancy being the type of person who can relate the shirt number of every member of the England USA '94 squad, there are other opportunities.

This Sunday, Friends Of Antara has organised a charitable six-a-side competition for the budding Beckhams of York (sarongs not necessary).

Friends of Antara is a charitable organisation which raises funds at the university to help Antara, a voluntary organisation that provides mental and general healthcare in and around Kolkata, India.

The organisation provides volunteering opportunities with Antara and aims to raise awareness of the charity's work, in the hope of making students more aware of healthcare issues.

On Sunday the intrepid Beckhamites will trot on to the field to enjoy themselves in the name of charity.

Well, that's if you can call being out of breath, going over on your ankle and embarrassing yourself in front of your girlfriend (without going to the bother of removing your trousers) enjoyable.

In any case, here's hoping the weather holds and much money and awareness is raised, before those involved pop to the pub to rescue their manliness by downing that pint of lager.

Updated: 09:13 Friday, June 04, 2004