2013 YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia - June 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Kuala Lumpur, 31st May 2013 –  YHA and YKK (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has once again chosen to collaborate with the most valuable football club in the world, Real Madrid, for its latest edition of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Since 2007, the YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic CSR project—which focuses on providing a fun and valuable experience for underprivileged children—has been organized across Asia.  This includes Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.  The resounding success of the YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic over the years has encouraged YHA to continue the project in even more locations within Asia.

From 31st May to 2nd June 2013, 30 local coaches and 250 kids—most of whom are from orphanages or underprivileged homes—had the opportunity to meet and play with coaches from Real Madrid Foundation, the CSR arm of Spain’s largest football club, Real Madrid FC.  In working with Real Madrid, YKK hopes to bring a once in a lifetime experience into the lives of underprivileged children in Malaysia.

Real Madrid Foundation coaches Pablo Gomez Revenga, Javier Garcia Torres and Ivan Garcia Sacristan first shared the club’s training methodology and techniques with local coaches on Friday afternoon, 2.30-5.30pm. Once the Malaysian coaches have been trained, they assisted Real Madrid to conduct four clinics for 250 kids on 1st and 2nd June, 8 – 11am and 2 – 5pm each day hosted by the PKNS Football Club.

YHA made this an annual event as it values the importance of constantly contributing to the society.

“It is important for YKK to contribute and work with local community. I believe that this event is a great opportunity for the children in the region to both experience enjoyment through sport, as well as develop their love for sport. We want to support their growth through this football event,” said the President and CEO of YHA, Mr. Ken Nakano.

Having run clinics around the world, the Real Madrid Foundation’s coaching team has brought their world-class techniques to thousands of children. Language and cultural differences are no barriers for Pablo Gomez and his coaching team as football is a global language. The smiles on the children’s faces are the most rewarding result from their coaching activities. Pablo hinted that his team is looking forward to YKK bringing them to Malaysia.

“We have been part of this project since 2012 and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the warm Asian hospitality. We have also realized that there is a huge support for Real Madrid as a club in and around Asia and this will be great opportunity for us to reach out to the community yet again” the Project’s Head Coach explained.  

Each participant in the clinics received a full YKK/Real Madrid Foundation kit/shoes. Furthermore, YKK donated all the footballs from the event to the participant communities. This will provide continuity of YKK CSR program and encourage children across the Klang Valley to dream and play for years to come.

“PKNS FC is honored to have been chosen by YKK to host this exciting event and to have coaches from one of the world’s best football teams training on our pitch. We are happy to participate in the CSR elements through provision of football equipment for the event.  It will be a great experience for the kids as well as our coaches and we are happy to be part of the 2013 YKK Asia Group Kids Football Clinic.” stated En Noor Hisham Mohd Ghouth, President of PKNS FC.

Football is the most popular sport in Malaysia—where more than 60% of the population regularly watches football on television and over 50% play the sport in their leisure time.  As Real Madrid is one of the world’s most popular clubs, the opportunity for kids to work with them is exciting.