Special children get chance for a kick-about with Manchester City captain

MANCHESTER City captain Vincent Kompany took time off his hectic schedule to visit Taarana, a school for children with special educational needs, during his recent visit to Malaysia.

The 26-year-old Kompany’s visit to Taarana was supported by QNET, a global direct selling company whose CSR arm, Vijayaratnam Foundation had established the school.

Kompany spent about two hours at Taarana and conducted a football clinic for the children, aged between six and 12, who face challenges with delayed development in academic, social and adaptive skills, also known as Mild Intellectual Disability (MID).

The defensive midfielder and centreback congratulated Vijayaratnam Foundation for having opened the school.

“I love kids. I have a two-year-old daughter. So I am always happy to spend time with children. And spending some time with the children at Taarana is meaningful.

“I am amazed at the dedication of the teachers here. I understand Taarana is one of the first of its kind in Malaysia,’’ said Kompany.

Vijayaratnam Foundation founder and managing trustee Datuk Vijay Eswaran said QNET had always been involved in sports and recognised the beneficial effect it could have on worthy causes.

“Sport is the most liberating of all endeavours. It allows one to rise to their greatest heights. Through sport, we celebrate both the championship of success that QNET stands for and the victory of the human spirit over its trials and tribulations which Taarana stands for.

“Naturally we are grateful to Kompany for being here but more so because he epitomises championship.

“We are happy that he shared his passion and spirit with the children of Taarana,” said Vijay.

(Via Star : http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/6/20/central/11459714 )