Real Madrid Foundation and YKK run a successful clinic in Sri Lanka
It was held in the city of Colombo for more than 300 children in vulnerable situations.
The city of Colombo in Sri Lanka hosted a football social clinic organised by the Real Madrid Foundation, in partnership with YKK. This was a sporting and educational experience in which more than 300 children from orphanages and disadvantaged communities participated in a programme that combines sport and values as a vehicle for inclusion.
The Foundation began its collaboration with the YKK AKFC programme in 2012 and since then has worked in 12 countries in Asia, positively impacting the lives of more than 8,000 children. In this edition in Sri Lanka, more than 30 local coaches also participated, learning the Real Madrid Foundation's educational methodology from its professionals, to then apply it to projects in their communities.
The programme included the participation of children from institutions such as Arklow Children's Home, the Children's Village in Galle and the Children's Village in Piliyandala, to enrich their lives through sport and foster values for life.
Kazuto Daimon, president of YKK Holding Asia, stressed: “This programme is not just about football; it's about creating opportunities and bonds. Children learn about values such as teamwork, confidence and resilience, skills that will stay with them beyond the pitch. At the same time, the clinic empowers the community, generating unity and collective spirit.”
Meanwhile, Andrés Muntaner, director of the Clinics area of the Real Madrid Foundation, had this to say: “The partnership with YKK has enabled the Real Madrid Foundation to implement socio-sports programmes that provide these benefits to thousands of children in Asia. From clinics that foster inclusion to educational projects that promote health, gender equality and social integration, our joint initiatives demonstrate that when we combine passion with purpose, the impact is far-reaching.”
The success of this edition in Colombo highlights the commitment of YKK and the Real Madrid Foundation to community development in Asia, consolidating an educational model in which football becomes a tool for inclusion, learning and social transformation.