Club President, Enrique Cerezo, paid a visit to the Academy headquarters in Guayaquil
Over 10,000 children and young people are involved in the social-educational project created in collaboration with the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil with director Juan Xavier Cordovez and Mayor Aquiles Álvarez in attendance on this historic day.
After the inauguration of the new Academy headquarters in the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca in the presence of His Majesty King Felipe VI and the President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa, our Club President Enrique Cerezo paid a visit to the central headquarters of the Club’s project in South America, located in Guayaquil.
The headquarters were inaugurated in July 2023, and today, they involve over 10,000 children and young people. Representing all of them, around half the youths were in attendance, accompanied by their families; and together with the Atlético JBG squad, they welcomed the Atlético de Madrid Club President to the event which saw Juan Xavier Cordovez, director of the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil, take on the role of moderator.
“It has been a truly intense year in which we have learnt a lot and fostered a common understanding on both ends. We have reinforced the bond that unites us with the intent to continue our expansion programme. The project in Ecuador is something amazing that brings us new and interesting opportunities to get involved in every day so that we can contribute our experience and commitment in support of the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil and reach our most important aims” - Enrique Cerezo’s speech, accompanied by Mayor of Guayaquil Aquiles Álvarez, just like one year ago.
Held in the municipal headquarters of the Ecuadorian city, both sides signed another agreement that sees the Junta de Beneficencia hand over the management of 23 of the 30 municipal pitches to the Academy who, alongside the coaches from the Junta, continue to develop the social-educational programme that services over 10,000 youngsters.
“We need to be realistic. Not everyone can become a professional footballer. Those who don’t make it will anyway be top professionals in life as we don’t just train footballers, but also good people. The essence of the project is to educate people with help from the teachers who support our young people every day. One year ago, this project was a dream. Today, it is alive and well thanks to the work alongside Atlético de Madrid", commented Aquiles Álvarez.
During this moving event, the young players from the Academy, their families and members of the Atlético JBG squad made the most of our president’s visit to display their recognition and affection for our Club, proudly and excitedly wearing the symbols of the Junta and Atlético de Madrid on their shirts and thanking both institutions for the chance to make their dreams come true.
