Etihad Airways, lead
sponsor of Manchester City Football Club (MCFC), has hosted a special football
clinic for students in Lagos, with Ivorian international and MCFC central
defender, Kolo Toure and three of the club's trainers.
The clinic took place
at FunTurf in Lekki, Lagos, and was attended by 50 students, aged between 11
and 16, from Victoria Island Secondary School. The youngsters received tips from
Kolo and the MCFC club coaches, who are fresh from winning the English Premier
League.
Peter Baumgartner,
Chief Commercial Officer for Etihad Airways said: “It was fantastic to see Kolo
Toure, a football superstar, teaching the youngsters at the Etihad Airways Manchester
City Football Clinic and helping to celebrate the launch of our flights between
Abu Dhabi and Lagos.
“Etihad Airways has a
proud tradition of hosting grass roots sporting events and so to host our first
overseas clinic with Kolo, and our friends and Premier League champions from
Manchester City FC, is a very special moment.”
Kolo said: “It’s great to be in Lagos on
behalf of Manchester City, not only to celebrate the launch of Etihad Airways’
new service to Abu Dhabi, but also to help develop local football in the
region. Nigeria is a country known for its passion and love of the game, which
has produced many great footballers in the past.
“Hopefully
through the Etihad Airways Manchester City soccer clinic, the coaches and I can help children learn new skills that
will bring them one step closer to following their dreams.”
Also speaking at the
event, the principal of Victoria Island Secondary School, Mrs. Adegbesan said:
“This is a great sporting initiative for our school. Most of these students
would never have had the opportunity they were given today.
“We thank Etihad
Airways, Manchester City Football Club and Kolo Toure for helping the
development of grassroots football."
The children were
treated to an array of football tips, which included trying to master Kolo’s
renowned defensive skills. The clinic concluded with a special match with Kolo
coaching and encouraging the children.
On Monday, 2 July,
Etihad Airways marked the launch of its new service between Lagos and Abu Dhabi
by flying in its ‘Blue Moon Rising’ A330-200 aircraft, painted in MCFC’s sky
blue colours.
In July 2011, Etihad
Airways signed a 10-year partnership deal with MCFC, which included naming
rights for the club’s stadium and expansive surrounding grounds, now known as
Etihad Stadium and Etihad Campus, respectively, as well as an extension of the
existing shirt sponsorship.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the
United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million
passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways
serves 87 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe,
Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing
aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world’s
largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also holds equity investments in
airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus. For more
information, please visit: www.etihad.com
Etihad
Airways Media Contact:
Damian James
Email: djames@etihad.ae
Tel: + 97150 818 2533
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