- MILO partners with OBEC, SAT, and FC Barcelona to launch “MILO Futsal 2018 Road to Barcelona” to encourage Thai kids to grow with sport because “Sport is a Great Teacher.”
- Opportunity for 50 young players selected during the tournament to learn from a world-renowned FC Barcelona coach at the MILO Camp at Chonburi Bluewave, with 8 players given the opportunity for world-class coaching in Barcelona this October.
Bangkok–May 9, 2018: Thailand’s biggest futsal tournament for kids and youths has begun. MILO, in partnership with the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and FC Barcelona, is hosting the “MILO Futsal 2018 Road to Barcelona,” a futsal tournament for kids from 7 to 15 years old. The tournament, in its ninth consecutive year, takes place from June to August. The top prize is trophies from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and scholarships worth a total of 500,000 baht. The MILO tournament encourages Thai kids to Grow with Sport because “Sport is A Great Teacher”. It also provides a world-class coaching experience by offering a great opportunity for fifty outstanding young players who demonstrate their talent and the spirit of good sportsmanship during the tournament to learn techniques from the world-renowned FC Barcelona coaches at the MILO Camp during August 30 to September 2, 2018 at Chonburi Bluewave. Eight of the young players between 7 and 12 years old that show the greatest potential during the MILO Camp will be chosen by scouting team from Thailand and the FC Barcelona to represent young Thai players during world-class training at the Barca Academy at Camp Nou, FC Barcelona, in October.
Mr. Chaiyong Sakulborrirug, Business Executive Officer – Dairy & Adult Nutrition, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., said, “MILO has been hosting the MILO Futsal tournament for nine years with an aim to encourage Thai kids to grow with sport and support them with the product that provides nutritious energy, together with exercising for good health, as we believe that ‘Sport is a Great Teacher.’ This also reflects the Nestlé purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. This year, the tournament returns in a long partnership with OBEC and also has support from the SAT, under the government policy of encouraging the young generation to play sports. We also have the great support of staff coaches from Thailand led by Dr. Charnwit Pholcheevin and a partnership with FC Barcelona, which also has the same belief that ‘Sport is a Great Teacher’.”
Ms. Wanla Ruenchaiwong, Director – Student Activities Development, Office of the Basic Education Commission under the Ministry of Education, said, “OBEC is supporting ‘MILO Futsal 2018 Road to Barcelona.’ Under this partnership, we publicize the tournament to students and their parents in schools under OBEC supervision. OBEC’s vision is to foster basic education in Thailand to be in line with international standards while remaining based on Thai values. We also instill awareness about growing with sport and nutritious energy among kids and their parents. This is in line with MILO’s belief that ‘Sport is a Great Teacher’.”
Mr. Xavier Closas, Head Coach of Barcelona Futsal Club, said, “At FC Barcelona, we have the same belief that kids can greatly benefit from learning the value of sport, including putting in an effort, self-respect, respecting competitors and the rules, teamwork, humility, and realizing their ambitions. I am glad to be part of this activity to promote futsal to Thai kids and inspire Thai people who know this activity to want to play more futsal. We are happy to bring in professional coaches from FC Barcelona to provide a world-class coaching experience at the MILO camp for 50 young Thai players, and then welcome eight young Thai players to further develop their futsal skills for two days at the Barca Academy, along with youths from MILO projects in other countries. We are confident this will be one of the best moments in their lives and will inspire them to grow further with sport.””
Executives of Nestlé and its partners who joined the opening ceremony for the MILO Futsal 2018 Road to Barcelona included Mr. Victor Seah, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Indochina; Mr. Chaiyong Sakulborrirug, Business Executive Officer – Dairy & Adult Nutrition, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd.; Ms. Wanla Ruenchaiwong, Director – Student Activities Development, Office of the Basic Education Commission under the Ministry of Education; Lt.Col. Ruj Saeng-udom, Deputy Governor for Professional Sports and Privileges from the Sports Authority of Thailand; Dr. Chanwit Pholcheevin, Advisor to the Permanent Secretary for Sports and the National Strategy Drafting Committee on Human Capital Development and Strengthening; and Mr. Xavier Closas, Head Coach of Barcelona Futsal Club. An event highlight was when Mr. Closas shared basic futsal techniques with some Thai kids and celebrities Prama “Punjun” Imanothai, Jirayu “Got” Thantrakul, and Sopidnapa Chumpanee and her son “Bene.” The demonstration of world-class coaching was a teaser at the event, which took place at Central World’s Eden 1 space.
Sopidnapa “Jeab” Chumpanee, who brought her son Nong Bene to demonstrate his futsal skills with the FC Barcelona coach, said, “Normally I encourage Bene to play sports as it helps him get healthy and learn the spirit of sportsmanship. When Bene is at school, he and his friends will gather to play football after class. It makes him heathier while learning the value of sportsmanship. Today was a good opportunity for Bene to get some training. He had so much fun and it really inspired him to continue playing sports.”
Prama “Punjun” Imanothai, an actor who actively exercises, said, “This activity is really good, as it is an opportunity for Thai kids who love futsal to show their talents and get world-class coaching from the FC Barcelona staff coach. I think this will really be aspirational for the kids to Grow with Sport. I was also very impressed that there was a girl player who showed her futsal talent, and I would like to invite a lot of girl players to join the tournament as well.”
Jirayu “Got” Thantrakul said, “I’m impressed with today’s activity. I had a chance to work under the guidance of the coach from FC Barcelona and learned tricks and basic futsal techniques such as concentration and playing futsal as a team. I would like to ask any children who are interested to join the tournament.”
Kids who are interested in joining the tournament can download an application from the MILO Thailand Facebook page Facebook MILO Thailand หรือ www.nestle.co.th For more information, please contact the Nestlé Call Center at 0 2657 8601.
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Notes to the Editor
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. It is present in 191 countries around the world, and its 328,000 employees are committed to Nestlé’s purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. Nestlé offers a wide portfolio of products and services for people and their pets throughout their lives. Its more than 2,000 brands range from global icons like NESCAFÉ or NESPRESSO to local favourites like BEAR BRAND or MINERÉ. Company performance is driven by its Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy. Nestlé is based in the Swiss town of Vevey where it was founded more than 150 years ago.์
The lineup of Nestlé’s MILO products in Thailand include MILO with Activ-GoTM 3-in-1 chocolate malt beverage, MILO with Activ-GoTM chocolate malt beverage, MILO with Activ-GoTM UHT chocolate malt beverage, MILO Chocolate Malt Flavoured Recombined Ready to Drink Milk Product Protein Formula, MILO Wholegrain Breakfast Cereal, MILO ice cream, MILO Chocolate and Malt Flavoured Breakfast Cereal Bars with Wheat Whole Grain, and MILO Choco bar.
For more information, please contact:
AMB
Rosarin Wiwatsujaritkul
Tel. 0 2252 9871
E-mail: [email protected]