The YKK Asia Group Kids in partnership with the the most multi-titled La Liga team, Real Madrid, held a two-day clinic for 300 underprivileged children last weekend in the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City.
In a press conference, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) General Secretary Edwin Gastanes said, “The clinic complements the grassroots program of Philippine Football Federation as there are certain areas that our regional football associations cannot reach that the YKK can.”
On Saturday, the first batch of children to take part in the clinic were from the Gawad Kalinga communities. They were then followed by children from Batangas lakeshore communities on Sunday morning, while homeless children that are looked after by the Child Hope Asia Philippines also had a chance to interact with the Real Madrid coaches on Sunday afternoon. Among the children that also participated in the clinic with world-class football training were two children from war-torn Marawi City.
The children were able to experience playing with professional football gear instead of the makeshift gear and equipment they would use on a day to day basis. They were given a full set of the YKK/Real Madrid football kits, football shoes, caps, and socks.
Real Madrid coaches Pablo Gomez Revenga, Santiago Sanchez Martin, and Hector Vicente facilitated the clinic. Aside from teaching the participants football skills and techniques, the coaches also made it a point to impart and promote values through sports and education. They taught the children to integrate fun with commitment, responsibility and teamwork.
Header image courtesy of Childhope Philippines