The world is currently abuzz with the football World Cup fever, but students from ten secondary schools have another reason to cheer. Zurich Insurance Malaysia Berhad recently launched its “Zurich Love for Football” program. The initiative, organised in collaboration with Little League Soccer Sdn. Bhd., led by former professional footballer and ESPN STARSPORTS pundit Paul Masefield, will run from June to September this year.

“Zurich Love for Football” is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project by Zurich Insurance Malaysia with an aim to promote health and wellness among youths through the popular sport of football. In line with Zurich’s Global Community Week (GCW), this initiative is part of Zurich’s commitment to its communities where its customers and employees live and work. Now in its third year, the GCW highlights and celebrates Zurich’s community investment activities in over 40 countries around the world and provides a platform to raise employee awareness on Zurich’s role in society.

The initiative was officially launched at the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) Futsal Court by Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia. Football legend Datuk Santokh Singh was also present to referee a friendly match between celebrity pundit, Abbas Saad and the Little League coaches against school players from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Bintang Utara.

Through this program, Zurich Insurance Malaysia and the Little League coaches will run a series of football clinics across ten secondary schools with existing football clubs from various states in Peninsular Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Johor Bahru. The clinics are expected to reach out to over 700 youths and will provide training in dribbling, passing, shooting and various fitness drills. 

The “Zurich Love for Football” program is also in line with the recently launched National Football Development Plan helmed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to re-ignite Malaysia’s football glory days by nurturing young talents from the grassroots.

Zurich Insurance Malaysia has pledged to contribute RM5,000 to each of the selected schools, which will go towards the purchase of football equipment and upgrade of their club facilities. As a motivation and encouragement to the students, the most outstanding player selected at each clinic will receive RM500 worth of football merchandise. Zurich’s management team and employees are also able to participate in the program as they will be given the chance to play against the schools in friendly matches.        

For more information on “Zurich Love for Football” program and clinic updates, visit Zurich Insurance Malaysia’s Facebook page or website.

About Author JQ Lee talks and writes for a living. That's because she loves sharing interesting things to the world. With a Degree in Communication and Media Management, this petite Gen-Y will not stop chasing her passion in writing and broadcasting. She dreams to host a travel show and be a radio announcer someday, hopefully soon. Stalk this wacky fair Asian girl at www.jqtalks.com, Instagram and Twitter (@jqleejq)