22 June 2018
By Niel Victor Masoy
As part of its corporate social responsibility, YKK is holding football clinics again in the country which kicked off on Friday, June 22, at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City.
YKK, a leading manufacturer of fastening products (like zippers and buttons to name a few), partnered with no less than the Real Madrid Foundation (RMF) once more in teaching 300 indigent children footballing, the Real Madrid way.
And after the press conference held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, RMF coaches Pablo Gomez Revenga, Santiago Sanchez Martin, and Hector Vicente shared and demonstrated the Real Madrid’s world-class football training methodologies and techniques to 30 local coaches handpicked by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).
Over the weekend, these coaches will assist the RMF tacticians in holding clinics for the kids from three NGOs – Child Hope Asia, Gawad Kalinga, and Punta Fuego Village Foundation.
For YKK Philippines, these clinics are their way of giving back to local community that contributed to the success their company is relishing today.
“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,” said President of YKK Philippines, Inc., Mr Tadashi Koshio.
“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.”
One love, one sport
YKK and RMF believes that football is a sport that transcends race, gender, religion, and culture. It is the language that everyone understands and the sport that unifies all walks of life.
“Watching local coaches and children engage and participate in a sport which knows no language or social barriers is the ultimate reward,” shared Revenga, who is Real Madrid Foundation’s technical management clinics and international technical schools director.
Hope
In a country where basketball is the main sport, PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes hopes that the YKK -Real Madrid clinics would encourage more Filipinos to play football.
And he’s glad that Real Madrid, the winningest franchise in La Liga history with 33 titles on its belt, shares its football technology here in the country for the second time now (the first set of clinics took place back in April 2012). He’s also pleased with the YKK-RMF partnership.
“We hope this clinic will develop more players and inspire other players,” he said.
“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.
Both Saturday and Sunday clinics have two sessions each – 8:30 – 11:30AM for the morning session and 1:30PM – 4:30PM for the afternoon session.
All participants would be given a full set of YKK/Real Madrid Foundation football jersey kit which includes football boots, socks, a cap, 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 clinics to the invited NGOs.
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