Real Madrid

The 7th of August is Colombia's National Day. Not only will Real Madrid face Independiente Santa Fe tonight, but President Álvaro Uribe decided to celebrate Bogotá's 470th anniversary and his six years in power with the Club by organising a spectacular reception for Ramón Calderón, Board Members Enrique Riquelme and Pascual Cervera, and captains Raúl, Guti and Michel Salgado.

The reception took place at the Cavalry Academy and was attended by an impressive number of politicians and members of the Colombian army. The first to greet the Madridista expedition was Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos, followed by General Mario Montoyori and Commander Barrera. More than 500 guests were at the reception, most of which were family members of the representatives of the Armed Forces present in the act. Spanish Ambassador to Colombia Andrés Collado was also there.

President Álvaro Uribe made his appearance amidst the cheers of the crowd and was humbly wearing with a straw hat. "This is a new gesture of generosity," he said about Real Madrid's presence in the act. Ramón Calderón gave the President the Club's Gold and Diamond Insignia and a personalised Real Madrid shirt which Uribe immediately raffled amongst the children of the Real Madrid Social Integration Academy of Colombia, present at the reception. This marvellous and beautifully improvised gesture ended when a small child named Leonardo won the shirt, which was signed by all the important personalities present at the event. "You will never forget this day and will always cherish this crest," said Uribe to the child.

Foundation Academy in Bogotá
This day was even more special for 50 children who saw their dream of playing with Raúl come true. Ramón Calderón and Carlos Salazar, President of the Revel Foundation, took the opportunity to sign an agreement that will provide for the construction of a Real Madrid Foundation Academy in the Colombian capital.

Carlos Salazar
"We want to instill the sport's healthiest values, such as respect, solidarity, fraternity and discipline. These are the values that Real Madrid embodies and we want to spread them together throughout Colombia."

Ramón Calderón
"It is very important for us to socially compromise ourselves with Colombia this way because, through our Foundation, we want to pay society back for everything it's given us in our 106-year history. It is our duty and our wish to spread the ethical values of sport because we know that by doing so we help children grow into better people. More than 20,000 children benefit from what they learn at our academies and it is an honour for all of us at Real Madrid to say we will soon have one in Bogotá. I'm sure many more will follow throughout Colombia. We feel at home here and we hope an excellent match seals the unforgettable experience we are having in this country."