Last week, Realmadrid Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with Al-Yousifi Charity Institution, for the opening of a social sports school in Bayan, Kuwait. I was very excited about this event and wanted to share it all with you, but I was pretty sure it would go under the radar in the midst of the Clásico hype, so I postponed this article until now.
The video footage, including our interview of the director of the Kuwaiti institution, has been online for a week, but I still wanted to give proper focus to this new school opening.
Here are the most important quotes from the two protagonists of this event: Enrique Sánchez --vice-president of Realmadrid Foundation-- and Adel Essa Hussain Al-Yousifi --director of Al-Yousifi Charity Institution. Make sure to also check our interview with Adel Al-Yousifi, for more insights into this project and his relationship to Real Madrid CF!
Enrique Sánchez, about the involvement of the Foundation in the Middle East and the opening date of the Kuwaiti school:
Realmadrid Foundation wants to be present in the Middle East, in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrein, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Palestinian territories and Jordan, where our 10 schools are benefiting 1700 girls and boys. The school in Kuwait will welcome more than 100 girls and boys.
Realmadrid Foundation should travel to Kuwait at the end of this month in order to deliver its training program "They play, we teach", so that the school's activities can start in early February.
Adel Essa Hussain Al-Yousifi, about the close relationship between Kuwait and Spain and his father's vision and background:
This is the beginning of a relationship between two organizations, two different countries, two different continents. These two organizations share a same purpose and vision, which is lending a hand to whoever needs it and provide the world youth with the opportunity to become better individuals, living in what we trust to be a better world.
Realmadrid Foundation is creating a new environment for the young from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds to flourish and excel.
Al-Yousifi Charity Institution is a new entity, that started in 2007. But the name Essa Hussain Al-Yousifi is very well known in Kuwait when it comes to providing assistance to whoever needs it. My late father was a humble human being, who started working in an oil company, then as a secretary for one of our local commercial companies, then he opened his first small electronics shop and worked hard until he became the owner of one of the leading electronics companies in Kuwait. But power and wealth never changed him. He loved everybody, and they loved him in return. He believed that charity was the duty of those who have to those who have not. His company's motto was --and still is-- Serving people to improve the quality of life. Serving them without looking at their color, religion or nationality. And we, as his sons, follow in his footsteps.
Kuwait and Spain are two friendly countries, who share many values and cultural background. In Kuwait, many cities have Spanish names, like Cordoba, Sevilla, etc. And soon Kuwait will open its tallest building called Alhambra Tower.
Kuwait, as a country and people, will never forget the moment when Kuwait national football team played in the World Cup in Spain in 1982. That was the first and only time that Kuwait enjoyed playing in the World Cup finals. And I hope that, with the opening of this school, it won't be the last.
Our meeting today is not about football only. It's also about giving positive leisure time, and promoting healthy lifestyle and habits to the youth.
I would love to hear from Kuwaiti Madridistas about this project. If any of you goes there, we'll be happy to link to your pictures and video footage. It would be nice to follow up on this. (Yeah, Ali, this is a subtle message to you!!!)
More pictures on our Facebook page here!
