Do you know of a young footballer who may probably well be the next Sergio Aguero?
If you do, then pay attention.
Healthcare organisation Mundipharma, whose BETADINE® range is the ‘Official Healthcare Product Partner’ of English Premier League giants Manchester City, has announced the first BETADINE® Youth Football Development Programme. The week-long clinic to provide top-class coaching for Singaporean youth players and coaches has been welcomed by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
The programme will see up to 32 footballers – both boys and girls – between the ages of 10-15 benefit from coaching sessions delivered by City Football Schools’ coaches who will be in Singapore from 19 June to 24 June, 2017.
In addition to football skills training, the players will be mentored by the coaches in functional fitness and nutrition to help them on their journey to achieve their dreams.
FAS Technical Director Michel Sablon said, “The FAS always strives to expose our players, coaches and officials to top-level football, including overseas training camps, exchange programmes and invitational competitions with top-class teams. We are pleased that academy coaches from Manchester City Football Club will hold this week-long football event in Singapore. It is always good to have corporations doing more for Singapore football and I hope more organisations follow in Mundipharma’s footsteps.”
Mr Raman Singh, CEO, Mundipharma said, “Sports reaches and inspires people around the world. As the Official Healthcare Product Partner of Manchester City, we’ve been harnessing this power to raise awareness about key health issues and we now want to use it to help Singapore football.”
As well as the young footballers, youth coaches from the S.League will have an opportunity to enhance their own skills during a ‘Coach the Coaches’ session which will be part of the programme over the week. In addition, the programme will reach out to young budding coaches from the National Football League and an invitation will also be extended to the coaches of Singapore’s Cerebral Palsy football team.
“We are honoured to be able to support Singapore’s vision of developing youth football. Young footballers will need good mentors and coaches to guide them towards a successful career in football and through this initiative, we believe they will be one step closer to reaching for their dreams of one day becoming football heroes for Singapore,” added Mr Singh.
Damian Willoughby, Senior VP of Partnerships for City Football Group, explains, “Manchester City is delighted to be partnering with Mundipharma to deliver our City Football Schools clinics in Singapore. Our involvement in this special football programme reflects the Club’s broader commitment to bringing football to everyone, whatever level they play at. Importantly, it also reflects our commitment to Singapore. It has been one of our homes since we opened our office here in 2015 and our presence in Singapore continues to thrive and grow.”
The beneficiaries of the programme will be the youth players from the S.League clubs, and the football academies in Singapore. It has already been welcomed by a number of these institutions.
Desmund Khusnin, general manager of Tampines Rovers, said “It is a great initiative to have coaches from one of the world’s most recognised clubs help our young and budding footballers. We are pleased to partner Mundipharma and Manchester City, and look forward to a meaningful and long-term partnership to help our youth footballers develop.”
Home United’s Chief Executive Azrulnizam Shah, added “The programme is meaningful for the Protectors because it helps us augment the work which we do at the Home United Youth Football Academy. The objectives of the programme are in sync with our mission at the Academy to help children reach their fullest potential in their sporting and academic pursuits.”
Hougang United’s general manager Matthew Tay, said “Our young footballers and coaches always look forward to such opportunities to develop and learn from among the top clubs in the world. As a club determined to help our young football and coaching talents grow, we are indeed very supportive of the programme which we are sure will add value to our football development in Singapore.”
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