13 PH kids earn FC Barcelona training slots

A total of 13 kids will comprise the first Milo FC Barcelona team that will take part in a global camp starting Sunday at Camp Nou, the home team of the famed football club.

The final cast was culled out of a pool of 150 kids who took part in the Milo FCB Road to Barcelona Training Camp on Sept. 2 and 3. They were picked by an expert panel from Milo Philippines, Philippine Football Federation and FCBEscola Youth Academy.

Lien Dale Manuel (Vicente Lim Elementary School), Lara Angela Amante (Isabelo de los Reyes ES), Liam Arc Villaran (Don Bosco-Canlubang), Kevin H. Hadap (Diosdado P. Macapagal ES), Heaven Andrei Teodosio (Ilaya Barangka Integrated School), Lorenzo Miguel Castillo Plaza (Xavier School), Alexis Caitlin Tan (Keys School Manila), Joseph Kyne Garces (Don Bosco-Cebu), Marcus Lucas Arias (Don Bosco-Canlubang), Lorenz Albert Tortona (Xavier), Enzo Gacutan Courbet (Brent International School), Boris Malcolm Uy (Keys School Manila) and Ethan Jacob Roxas (Paref Springdale-Cebu) are the members of the PH delegation.

Activities, which will run until Oct. 23, include a match-viewing at Camp Nou where they will see their FC Barcelona heroes in the flesh.

The program is also highlighted by special training sessions with Barca legend Eric Abidal.

“May the journey of these kids inspire more young Filipinos to reach for their dreams,” said Milo’s Robbie De Vera during the recent team sendoff at Abe Restaurant in Bonifacio Global City. —VANESSA B. HIDALGO