CEO of the Manchester United Foundation John Shields and a number of
football coaches will visit Ho Chi Minh City and provide free football
coaching for local social workers and vulnerable children from June
30-July 3.
The United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) said on June 30 that the coaching, the first programme of its
kind in Vietnam, will provide 10 volunteer coaches from several football
clubs in Ho Chi Minh City and 20 social workers with football skills as
well as communication skills for working with vulnerable children.
Shields expressed his delight at the partnership with UNICEF to offer
coaching for social workers and coaches in Vietnam.
Football has the power to gather people as a group, he said, hoping
that the communication channel would open up more opportunities for
children to receive necessary support.
Youssouf
Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam, declared football a
healthy sporting activity for vulnerable children to integrate into
community and develop essential life skills.
The
Manchester United Foundation has sponsored a number of UNICEF
programmes in Vietnam to protect children vulnerable to abuse,
exploitation and neglect.
Funding is also used
to support orphans, victims of child labour or trafficking, and others
living on the streets or suffering from drug abuse.-VNA