29.03.2010 16:37
Fukuoka football school visit
Vanessa Forns
Sixteen children from Barca’s football academy in Fukuoka, Japan, visited the Club’s Joan Gamper training grounds on Monday.
The Barca school opened in Fukuoka last September and today sixteen lucky children got the chance
to visit the Club’s training grounds. The best part of the visit was, no doubt, when the
first team players came out of the changing rooms after training.
A busy schedule
Ivan Palanco, the director of the school, told www.fcbarcelona.cat that
the children belong to an under-12 team that is currently here in Catalonia to play in a tournament
and visit the Club. On Saturday they went to a Barca youth team match and watched a Barca Atlètic
training session, where they got the chance to have their photo taken with reserve team manager
Luis Enrique.
The children are also enjoying a sightseeing tour of the city, including such famous
landmarks as the Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Güell Park.
A happy ending
The visit ended very happily for the sixteen Japanese children. As they
waited behind a barrier for the players to emerge, pens and autograph books at the ready, they were
waved through to mingle with the players.
Iniesta and Messi
Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi proved to be particular favourites and
they, together with the rest of the squad, delighted the visitors by signing autographs, shaking
hands and exchanging warm hugs. A moment these children will never forget.