Kids from Marawi, Metro streets and Batangas lakeshore towns benefit from YKK-Real Madrid Foundation football clinics

The two-day YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic came to a close last Sunday with 300 underprivileged kids getting the rare opportunity to learn football the Real Madrid way at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City.

Two kids from previously war-torn Marawi City were among those who experienced the world-class football training from coaches of the most multi-titled La Liga team in history with 33 Championship titles to its name. Children from Gawad Kalinga communities were first to undergo the clinics on Saturday, followed by children from lakeshore communities in Batangas on Sunday morning. Homeless children who live and sleep on streets and places like Luneta and the Caloocan Monumento who were cared for by Child Hope Asia Philippines had their own exhilarating football experience in the afternoon.

Mohammed Faried Anganto and Alintor Bangote were brought by their coach, Espiridion Paran under the auspices of Gawad Kalinga. “Football was one way for the kids to cope and transcend the experience of the past,” said their coach. “It was special for them to experience the YKK Football Clinic conducted by Real Madrid coaches because they learned new skills and trained with professional football gear. They’re used to playing with makeshift equipment, using tennis balls and playing barefoot,” he added.

Agustin Villarama, AVP for Marketing, YKK Philippines was elated about the outcome of the clinics, the second time that YKK Asia Holdings PTE LTD and YKK Philippines have brought the Real Madrid Foundation coaches to the Philippines to teach football to underprivileged kids.   

"After two days of clinics, we are happy to see that the kids are happy. We can see that these camps will produce positive effects for them in the future. Sports is a good tool to give a chance for these less fortunate kids," said Villarama.

Real Madrid Foundation coaches Pablo Gomez Revenga, Santiago Sanchez Martin and Hector Vicente were assisted by 30 local coaches who shared and demonstrated world-class training methodologies and training techniques throughout the sessions.

The Real Madrid Foundation coaches also promoted values through sports and education, teaching the kids about commitment, responsibility and teamwork, all while having fun.

"The coaches were very passionate about the country and about the kids that they taught football to. They also enjoyed themselves throughout. That’s how much they love football,” Villarama added.

All participants in the kids clinic received a full set of YKK/Real Madrid Foundation football kits, which include football boots, cap and socks. Everyone received a certificate at the end of the session. The Most Valuable Participants in the morning and afternoon sessions received Real Madrid t-shirts and bags.

YKK Brings Back Real Madrid Coaches to Teach Football to Filipino Kids, Coaches

L-R: Agustin Villarama, AVP for Marketing, YKK Philippines; Alson Ng, Regional Marketing Manager, YKK Holdings Asia PTE LTD, RFM Coach Pablo Revenga,  Tadashi Koshio, President, YKK Philippines, Inc.; Atty. Edwin B. Gastanes, Gen. Sec. Philippines Football Federation; RFM Coaches Hector Vicente and Santiago Sanchez Martin.

MULTI-TITLED Spanish football club Real Madrid together with YKK Holding Asia PTE. Ltd. (YHA) and YKK Philippines, Inc. pays it forward to young Filipino football players as the YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic kicks off today at the McKinley Hill Stadium.

Real Madrid Foundation coaches Pablo Gomez Revenga, Santiago Sanchez Martin and Hector Vicente trained 30 local football coaches immediately after the Press Conference held at Shangri-La at the Fort on June 22 to prepare for a two-day clinic for kids aged 8-15 on June 23 and 24. The Real Madrid coaches from the most multi-titled La Liga team in history with 33 Championship titles to its name, shared and demonstrated world-class training methodologies and training techniques to the local coaches, who will in turn assist the Spanish coaches in the Saturday and Sunday kids clinics.

300 underprivileged children from three NGOs – Child Hope Asia, Gawad Kalinga and a community in Batangas -- will learn football over two days of fun and interactive training sessions from the three RMF coaches who will also share footballing tips, techniques and basic fundamentals with the young athletes. The clinics have morning (8:30 a.m.) and afternoon (1:30 p.m.) sessions at the McKinley Hill Stadium.

The YKK football clinic was first held in the Philippines in 2012, and this second installment once again gives more local kids and coaches an avenue to experience world-class football from the international coaches.

"Our objective is to give the underprivileged the chance to be part of this football clinic. YKK's presence in the Philippines dates back since 1978, and our growth and success during these 40 years owes a great deal to the local society which our customers and employees also form part of. It is a great opportunity and pleasure for us to give back and help create the initial spark of encouragement for children who do not normally experience big name events due to its exclusivity. This time, it’s their turn to experience greatness," said President of YKK Philippines, Inc., Mr Tadashi Koshio.

The clinics draw on YKK’s corporate philosophy of the “Cycle of Goodness”, which states that “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others,” said Mr. Kosuke Miimi, YHA President. “AKFC is an integral program that not only values children, but the community as well. This event gives opportunities to those who normally have lesser chances at sports and brings the community together to celebrate the love of football. We believe that football is a common language that everyone can enjoy regardless of culture, nationality or religion.”

"We hope this clinic will develop more players and inspire other players," said Philippine Football Federation General Secretary Ed Gastanes during yesterday's press conference at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City. “We are always pleased that the Real Madrid Foundation is bringing their style of play and style of coaching here. We are happy that YKK Asia Group and YKK Philippines have partnered with Real Madrid Foundation for another meaningful and significant clinic," he added.

"Watching local coaches and children engage and participate in a sport which knows no language or social barriers is the ultimate reward," added Revenga, who is Real Madrid Foundation's technical management clinics and international technical schools director.

Each participant in the clinic receives a full set of YKK/Real Madrid Foundation football jersey kit which includes football boots, a cap, socks, and a certificate of participation. Other sporting equipment such as footballs, sports bibs and training cones will also be provided by YKK over the three-day event. Furthermore, YKK will donate all footballs and training equipment after the event to the invited NGO.

Pablo Picasso brings “Goooal!: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic” to the Philippines

Yes, strange as it may sound, in the words of Fundación Santiago’s executive director, Chaco Molina, it was no less than the Spanish genius Picasso who made possible the holding in the Philippines of “Goooal!: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic”.

“It’s a long story. Some years back Fundación Santiago brought to the Philippines, for the first time, a collection of works by Pablo Picasso—The Suite Vollard,” according to Molina who went on to elaborate that, “It was a joint undertaking with MAPFRE Foundation who for said occasion came in the company of their partner the Fundación Real Madrid (the CSR arm of Real Madrid CF) who, in turn, was looking for collaborative opportunities in Asia.”

That casual yet fortunate encounter led to more conversations, e-mail exchanges, visits to Manila from Madrid and vice versa—and the final visit last September of Fundación Real Madrid coach Miguel Angel Montoya. He flew in to initiate 18 Filipino coaches on a holistic paradigm on football and inclusive development, the Real Madrid Foundation Social Sports School (Escuela Socio Deportiva).

In order to sustain the operations of the aforementioned Social Sports School, Fundación Real Madrid and Fundación Santiago agreed to further their partnership by hosting in the Philippines a fundraiser, “Goooal!: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic”.

Goooal!, as it is known for short, is a football campus for the lovers of the beautiful game, ages 7 to 18, proceeds of which will go to Fundación Santiago’s Volun2rism Program, primarily the Social Sports School being one of its components.

Fundación Santiago is a Filipino, private, not-for-profit, DSWD accredited organization established in 1993 to help bring about the vision of the compleat Filipino, a person who, through knowing himself, is able to develop his own person and the others around him.

It currently runs two programs; the Community Based Heritage Tourism (CBHT) and Volun2rism (V2M). On the one hand, CHBT isan inclusive, bottom-up approach towards poverty alleviation in a manner that not only promotes but rests on the cultural, historical and environmental wealth of a specific locality. On the other, V2M offers both standard and tailor-fit packages wherein travellers have a unique opportunity to share their time, talent, technology, and treasure with their less fortunate brothers and sisters while experiencing our country’s rich culture and heritage.

“Goooal!” is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Spanish Embassy in Manila, MAPFRE-Insular, Roxas Holdings Inc., Interaksyon, Lifeline and San Carlos Power.

Summer Kicks Off with Goooal!: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic

It’s a fundraising event like no other before by Fundación Santiago in collaboration with the Fundación Real Madrid. It’s “Goooal: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic.”

This two-week football training for the youth and for football coaches will happen in a span of 12 days from April 19 to May 2 in Metro Manila and in Negros Occidental. Goooal! participants will be trained by the best coaches from the Real Madrid C.F. youth team in Spain on individual technique and tactical team training.

In the words of Fundación Santiago executive director, Chaco Molina: “Here’s a case that proves that doing good is More Fun in the Philippines. Indeed a unique opportunity to be of help to those who have less in life while enjoying the practice of your favourite sport, mentored by internationally acclaimed coaches.”

It all started with a novel joint project in Nasugbu, Batangas designed to keep children in school and out of harms-way through the practice of football. Notably, the proceeds from “Goooal!: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic” will go to Fundación Santiago’s Volun2rism Program, particularly the Real Madrid Foundation Social Sports School (Escuelas Socio Deportivas) in Batangas and Negros Occidental.

It will foster inclusive development for under-served children while they pursue their passion for football and enhance their academic performance. The Social Sports School likewise aspires to teach them good values associated with sports and teamwork as well as healthy living.

This summer “Goooal: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic” will hone the football skills of participants, ages 7 to 18 years old, in daily sessions held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila from April 20 to 24 and at the SJR Football Field in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental from April 27 to May 1.

The Coach Clinic is a whole day educational session for football coaches on pre-championship and pre-competition preparation for young players, set for April 19, in Metro Manila and on May 2, in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

“Goooal: The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic” is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Spanish Embassy in Manila, MAPFRE-Insular, Roxas Holdings and Lifeline.

For more info, you may contact Cheska Lacson, Resource Mobilization Officer of Fundación Santiago at E: cheska@fundacionsantiago.com | M: +63936 -9677660 | T: 696-2457