May 14, 2009 The legacy of a Wilton soldier continues to grow.
On May 22 and 23, a series of soccer clinics and tournaments at the national stadium of Iraq will use soccer balls donated in memory of Pfc. Nick Madaras. After Mr. Madaras was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Baquba, Iraq, on Sept. 3, 2006, his family started Kick for Nick to collect soccer balls for the children of Iraq in his memory. The upcoming event will include children’s soccer games, along with a tournament between Iraqi security forces and coalition forces. This tournament will serve “as a symbol of partnership,†according to Michael Shinners, 42, deputy commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division. The clinics and tournaments will take place in Sha’ab Stadium in Baghdad, and will most likely attract hundreds of participants and spectators, Lt. Col. Shinners said. Soccer equipment such as uniforms and the Kick for Nick balls will also be donated to participants. To organize the event, Lt. Col. Shinners met with Sa’ad Salmin, Baghdad’s regional sports community chairman, who welcomed the idea. “Sa’ad Shalim told us, ‘This is a great gift for us and a true sign of friendship,’†Lt. Col. Shinners said. According to the mother of Pfc. Madaras, Wiltonian Shalini Madaras, Pfc. Madaras was a “passionate soccer player†who played at Wilton High School and also was an assistant coach at the middle school. When he was deployed in Iraq, he noticed “how talented the children in Iraq were at soccer, using anything they could find to use as a ball, which was for the most part old tin cans,†she said.
While home on leave in July 2006, Pfc. Madaras “collected as many soccer balls as possible to bring back to the children near his post,†Ms. Madaras said. “He was killed soon afterwards and was never able to distribute the balls himself.†So his family started the charity in his name to continue his endeavor.
