Dimitar Berbatov is about more than just scoring the next goal for Manchester United. It turns that the Bulgarian striker, through his Dimitar Berbatov Foundation, is also keen on encouraging pupils to develop their skills in the fields of science, art and sport.

Officially announced in an October 13 2008 press release, the first initiative that that foundation is undertaking is to award nine Bulgarian children total for their achievements in the past year, one in each category of science, art and sport in each of three age groups: 1st to 4th grade, 5th to 8th grade and 9th to 12th grade.

Anyone – a friend, relative, teacher, fellow student, instructor, trainer, etc – can nominate a student aged six to 19 by sending in a photo of the nominee, a one-page letter (with the nominee's age mentioned) on why the child deserves the Dimitar Berbatov Foundation award and a document that attests to the attainment in the field of nomination (science, art, sport). In order to fulfil the entry requirements, the nominated student is to have won an applicable national or international competition (student Olympiad, contest, tournament, etc) in 2008. Submissions are accepted via e-mail to hodjeva@berbatov.bg until December 31 2008.

Notable attainments, regardless of being one of the awardees, will be included in a book of annual success stories of Bulgarian children, something that is hoped to encourage the development of other children in various spheres. The goal of the initiative, as described in the press statement, is to cultivate in children an attitude of respect of success and to motivate them to search for how they can also attain great things.

Football star Berbatov himself will confer the awards – a certificate and a statue – to the nine children at a ceremony in January.

The statue design is yet undecided – the foundation has put out an open call for artists up to 35 years of age to submit proposals for a statue that symbolises a desire for development, the impulse to be known and pride in initial achievements.

The Dimitar Berbatov Foundation was registered on April 7 2008.