Striker Kurniawan to train young local soccer hopefuls

JAKARTA (JP): A group of 50 Indonesian children aged between eight and 15 years old will get a rare opportunity to develop their soccer skills under the watchful eye of ace national striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto at a week-long training session to be held in July.

Tika Bisono of PT Nestle Indonesia told a media conference yesterday that Kurniawan would join eight coaches from the American-based World Soccer Academy in the clinic to be held at Pelita Harapan school in Sentul, near Bogor, West Java, from July 6 to July 12.

"We do not intend to produce good soccer players with just one week's training, but we hope to nurture the children's interest in the sport while increasing their ability and confidence," Tika said.

The clinic is part of the Swiss-based company's drive to boost sales of its Milo chocolate drink.

Tika said the company would pick participants from among children who return tokens from Milo boxes and cans in three lucky draws to be aired live on Anteve at 2 p.m. (WIB) on May 17, May 31 and June 14.

David Pettinari, the company brand manager, said children selected would stay in the school for the week, which has been named Milo Dunia Sepak Bola (Milo world soccer).

"They will all receive soccer outfits and gifts," Pettinari said.

At the end of the clinic, the children will get the chance to test their newly acquired skills in a joint scrimmage with other children from a Jakarta soccer school.

Pettinari said the company would also provide each participant with a full year school scholarship.

Kurniawan said he was delighted to share his skills with the children.

The Pelita Jaya goal machine donated a Rp 5 million check to Hadiyanto Nitihardjo, the director of SOS Desa Taruna Indonesia in Bandung, West Java, yesterday.

Kurniawan made the donation from his Nestle contract fee. He declined to reveal how much the deal was worth. (lnt)