Forty boys from the football club of SMK Jalan Pasir Putih were selected to attend a football clinic to improve their skills. The clinic, which was conducted at their school field recently, was made possible by Zurich Insurance Malaysia Berhad.
It was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project. Themed, ‘Zurich Love for Football’, this year’s objective was to promote health and wellness among Malaysian youths through football, in view of FIFA World Cup 2014.
In collaboration with Little League Soccer Sdn Bhd, a series of ten clinics were held beginning June to October at secondary schools in Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Selangor, Melaka, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, and finally, Perak.
The clinics reached out to some 700 youth, who were taught the four core individual skills – dribbling, passing, shooting and footwork. They were then put to the test via 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 challenges to build both their attacking and defending skills through recreated match situations. Finally, mini matches were held to allow them to practise the skills that they had picked.
Little League Soccer, the longest serving international football academy based in Kuala Lumpur, is led by former professional footballer and ESPN STAR Sports pundit, Paul Masefield.
Zurich Insurance Malaysia Berhad Chief Marketing Officer Christine Cheu explained the selection procedures to Ipoh Echo. “The school has to have an existing football club that needed improvement in terms of skills and facilities. Besides holding these clinics, we also contribute RM5,000 worth of football equipment to the schools’ football clubs.” The most outstanding player from each clinic also received RM500 worth of football merchandise.
Emily
