Local education officials welcome Real Madrid representatives at the launching of the soccer training center in Shanghai. (Photo : www.en.ytsports.cn)
Shanghai education authorities and the Real Madrid Foundation have tied up to launch a training center at the Shanghai campus of an international school, American University High School, in Minhang District, according to an article published by China Sports Beat.
The training center is said to be the Spanish and European champion's first training center in China, with two more to be opened in Beijing and Chengdu later this month.
According to the article, some 200 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 17 will be chosen for the two-week training program, which will be held in late June and August, where the students will undergo a four-session training. Each session will be composed of 50 students divided into two classes.
Professional coaches from Spain will conduct the training, the report added.
"The students will not only receive technical training, but will also be groomed in Real Madrid football cultures and values, leadership, fellowship, tolerance, respect and participation," Joaquín Sagués Blesa, director of the Campus Experience of Real Madrid Foundation, was quoted as saying.
The Real Madrid foundation expressed confidence that it will be able to promote its global football education course in China.
"China is not only the fastest growing economy, it also has the potential of developing into an international football power," Blesa added.
According to the report, the training costs 13,800 yuan ($2,200) per student.
The foundation had previously conducted its program at the same school last summer, with 150 children to check out its school's facilities to host the training.
The education commission in Minhang welcomed the project, in support of the central government and the municipality in Shanghai's efforts to promote campus football as one of the key measures to develop football in China.
The city's education commission had said earlier this month that it had invited coaches from Spain and England to develop the sport at the grassroots level.
