"Thanksgiving Day"

Hagi celebrated by world soccer personalities
by Cristina Mascan
NINE o'clock

BUCHAREST Only a few hours before the starting whistle of the match between the team Romania and a world stars combined squad, an encounter to mark the retirement from the national side of Gheorghe Hagi, who is rated as Romania's best soccer player ever, a press conference was held at Bucharest's Crowne Plaza Hotel. The media event was attended by Angel Maria Villar and Michel Platini, on behalf of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Mircea Sandu, the president of the Romanian Soccer Federation, procurer Giovanni Becali and Bogdan Enoiu, director of McCann Erickson, the company in charge of organizing the "Hagi Gala" and, obviously, the celebrated Gheorghe Hagi.
The first to speak was Mircea Sandu, the FRF president, who thanked Hagi again for what he did for Romanian soccer. Angel Maria Villar, one of the Spanish team's midfield in the '60s and '70s, the current president of the Spanish Soccer Federation and a member of the FIFA Executive Committee, insisted that last night's match was played under the aegis of FIFA, and both he and the other guests celebrated the great Romanian footballer.

"We celebrate today a player who gave us lessons in football. People from around the world know the great player Gheorghe Hagi. Outside the football field, Hagi is a remarkable person who is respected by everybody. I want to thank the Romanian Football Federation for organizing this event and to thank the Government and Presidency of Romania who helped us bring him these last celebratory words," were the words used by Angel Maria Villar speaking of the man also called the "Maradona of the Carpathians."
The National Stadium witnessed a great holiday yesterday but as always happens on these occasions, it was also accom panied by regrets, in this case, the regret of never seeing Hagi play again for Romania. As Michel Platini remarked, "Today is a tough day for Romanian and world football. We lose a star, a player who did many things for Romania, Real Madrid, the Brescia, and now for Galatasaray.
He is so popular that, even, when he quarrels with referees, he is in media's attention. And I should like to say that life does not come to an end when football does for a player. As far as I know, he would like to still concern himself with football. Before being a busi ness, football is a vacation. And the Romanian and world football will always need Hagi.

At the end of the press conference, the companies Connex, Gillette and Coca Cola gave Hagi objects to remind him of the day of April 24. Ted Lattimore, the Connex president, offered him a cartoon drawn by famous cartoonist Stefan Popa Popas. Hasam Ashour, regional general manager at Gillette, presented to Hagi on the company's behalf atrophy representing a football player. Robert Bing, Coca Cola's regional manager for Romania and Moldova, gave Hagi a crystal globe as a sign of appreciation from the company.
All the proceeds resulting from the "Hagi Gala" have been donated to the Constanta County Department for Child Rights.

BUCHAREST - "The valuation and praise of national values is a duty of honor, be it about public people or creators in various fields or peaks in sports," said President Ion Iliescu at yesterday's ceremony at Cotroceni Palace, an event dedicated to Hagi's retirement from football. The head of state showed that Hagi holds an important position in the gallery of the great figures of Romanian sport, as he is one of football's most valuable products, a great talent and an artist with the ball. Iliescu also appreciated Hagi's ability as team coordinator, as well as the passes and free kicks that made him famous. Saying that he would not mark the end of Hagi's sports career with a common medal, President Iliescu presented him with a silver plaque made especially for this event, bearing a dedication signed by the Romanian President. Gheorghe Hagi expressed his hope that he would never forget the world of football and gave his thanks for the beautiful moments occasioned by his retirement ceremony. He also felt gratified for being compared with another two great Romanian sports people, Ilie Nastase and Nadia Comaneci.

The ceremony in Unirii Hall at Cotroceni Palace was also attended among others by Ion Tiriac, Nadia Comaneci, Michel Platini, the Sports and Youth Minister, Gheorghe Gingaras, and by representatives of the Romanian Football Federation. Hagi received diplomatic passport On Monday, Prime Minister Adrian Nastase awarded football player Gheorghe Hagi a diplomatic passport, as an official recognition of his entire activity. "This gift obliges me more," said Gheorghe Hagi.

The best Romanian football player of all time also received a series of stamps with his portrait, edited at the National Romanian Post Office. Saying that "it is good to withdraw with the chin up," Hagi added that his activity after retirement will focus on training. Ministry of Youth and Sports paying homage to Hagi As a sign of appreciation for the contribution brought to Romanian sports and football, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Georgiu Gingaras, awarded the football player Gheorghe Hagi, an Excellency Diploma and a cup, on the occasion of a festivity organized at the Sport Hotel in Bucharest.
In his speech, Minister Georgiu Gingaras emphasized that he awarded Hagi for his merits in Romanian football, "Hagi is one of the best ambassadors for Romania. These awards will remind him of our love and of the fans' appreciation." Gheorghe Hagi gave his thanks for the awards received, saying: "I am glad people appreciate me for my work and career. I am satisfied with everything I have accomplished and I thank everybody for their nice words." The event was attended, among others, by State Secretary Nicolae Marasescu, the President of the Romanian Football Federation Mircea Sandu and President of the Central Commission of Referees, Nicolae Grigorescu.