Real Madrid to start sports school in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—Spain’s Real Madrid will soon train young Filipino football players and give a future to professional football in the country.

ANAKK-Santa Cruz NGO, a non-profit organization promoting the rights of disadvantaged youth, signed an agreement with Fundacion Real Madrid and Fundacion Mapfre of Spain to put up a social sports school in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur for underprivileged players aged 14 years old and below.

“We want to use this school as a means of giving access to basic nourishment, better education and private healthcare to poor children,” said Javier Warleta, President and CEO of Mapfre Insular.

An initial funding of Euro 16,000 (P963,900) has been set aside for the project, which will include scholarships and tutoring classes, psychological support, workshops, hygienic supplies and professional training.