Real Madrid will open at least seven football academies for children in Indonesia next year, Indonesia's sport ministry said on Friday.
"Real Madrid has agreed to open the schools next year, although we don't know when exactly. We are very open to collaboration with European clubs," sports minister Andi Mallarangeng told AFP.
The project will be funded by the Real Madrid Foundation, as part of the club's corporate social responsibility programme, in collaboration with the International Social Sports Development Foundation.
Mallarangeng said he hoped the schools will create opportunities for Indonesians to play in European leagues, as in the case of local star Arthur Irawan, who plays for the Junior Espanyol league.
"This is like a transfer of technology, where we can learn more about the football training methods in Europe," Mallarangeng said.
Real Madrid will open schools in the capital Jakarta and other major cities, including Jayapura in the restive Papua region, from where several national players hail.
Other than AC Milan, Liverpool and Arsenal also run schools in Indonesia.
Indonesia co-hosted the 2007 Asian Cup, but its national team has a poor record on the world stage.
Source: AFP
