The number of budding footballers, most of them from economically challenged background, being nurtured by the social sports schools of Real Madrid Foundation in Tiruchi and Pudukottai, has now risen to 600 from 200 when it was launched in 2013.
The foundation is the social outreach initiative of the famous Spanish Football Club Real Madrid. The Social Sports School project in both the districts is being supported by City of Hope and Joy Foundation, Spain, and executed by the Tiruchi Multi-purpose Social Service Society (TMSSS).
The social sports schools are currently functioning at St. Thomas Higher Secondary School at Nazareth in Pudukottai with 60 boys and 40 girls, St. Patrick’s HSS at Alundur with 60 boys and 40 girls, R.C. Higher Secondary School with 100 boys, Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School at Ponmalaipatti with 100 boys, St. Joseph’s High School at Pothamettupatti with 60 boys and 40 girls, and R.C. Higher Secondary School at Periya Anaikaraipatti in Tiruchi with 60 boys and 40 girls.
In all, 440 boys and 160 girls receive professional training in football, Fr. A. Susai Alangaram, secretary, TMSSS, said. Coaches of all the six sports schools are trained by professional coaches of the Real Madrid Foundation once in two years. The trainees have developed the attributes of team spirit, flexibility, respectfulness, punctuality, leadership, and self-esteem. They are also provided support to improve on their academics by qualified teachers in their respective schools, he said.
The students are provided with sports uniforms, boots and other related accessories, and kits. Further, their medical and nutritional needs are also being met. Each student, hence, is extended a holistic support in an ideal environment, Fr. Alangaram added.
Rosa Roncal Gimenez, international area manager, Real Madrid Foundation, and Maria Moreno, president, City of Hope and Joy Foundation, along with the delegates, visited the sports schools recently and interacted with the students, parents, and coaches.
