13 kids get chance to train at FC Barcelona camp

MILO executives during the announcement of the Philippine team for the FC Barcelona training on Wednesday. Photo by Bong Lozada

Thirteen kids are set to go on a trip of a lifetime as they head to  Spain this October to experience the brand of football of the La Liga giant FC Barcelona.

The selected youngsters, who were chosen after two-day camp conducted by MILO and FCB Escola Youth Academy, will be in Barcelona from October 15 to 23 for a series of trainings and other activities including watching a live La Liga match between Barcelona and Malaga at Camp Nou.

From 150 participants, Lien Dale Manuel, Lara Angela Amante, Liam Arc Villaran, Kevin Hadap, Heaven Andrei Teodosio, Lorenzo Miguel Castillo Plaza, Alexis Caitlin Tan, Joseph Kyne Garces, Marcus Lucas Arias, Lorenz Albert Tortona, Enzo Gacutan Courbet, Boris Malcolm Uy, and Ethan Jacob Roxas impressed coaches the most during the camp held last September 2 to 3.

“We believe that we have a really good team of kids who exemplify the right mix of values and skills that both MILO and FC Barcelona advocate,” said the brand’s sports executive Robbie De Vera Wednesday during the press conference in Taguig.

Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal will also join the young footballers in the training camp where they will also undergo classroom sessions at FCB Escola and technical skills development on the pitch.

Unfortunately, there were hiccups when it came to processing of visa with a some of the kids with only a few days left before the trip.

But Willy De Ocampo, the Vice President and Business Unit Manager of MILO Philippines, said they are “committed to bringing everybody to Barcelona.”

“Rest assured there won’t be anyone left behind, everyone will fly either on Saturday or Thursday,” said De Ocampo.