By IANS
Abu Dhabi : Chelsea Football Club Soccer Schools has begun its first overseas training in the Zayed Sports Club Soccer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital, which will run for four days, WAM reported Thursday.
Chelsea Football Club Soccer Schools, which kick started its first session Wednesday, is sponsored by Etihad Airways.
Four hundred boys and girls, aged between 7 years and 14 years, will take part in four days of the top-level football training and specialist clinics led by members of Chelsea’s youth academy coaching staff and former players, Roberto Di Matteo and Graeme Le Saux, a press release said Thursday.
Peter Baumgartner, product and marketing vice president of Etihad Airways, said: “The visit of the Chelsea Soccer Schools will be a fantastic occasion for the hundreds of school children in Abu Dhabi who will learn many of the skills and techniques used by the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard.
“Football has a huge following in the UAE and we are delighted, that through Etihad Airways’ close relationship with Chelsea Football Club, we can bring their world-class coaching staff and former football stars to Abu Dhabi.”
Roberto Di Matteo, who won caps with the Italian national side as well as playing 175 games for Chelsea, said: “There is a huge appetite for football and the English premier league in the UAE and everyone at Chelsea is thrilled to help coach some of the brightest talents in the country.”
Simon Greenberg, Chelsea’s director of communications and public affairs, said: “Chelsea Football Club places huge importance on our youth and community work and the soccer schools are a major part of fulfilling these ambitions. By working with Etihad Airways we are looking forward to bring the soccer schools to the children of Abu Dhabi.”