English Premier League champions Manchester City hosted a community football festival at Chicago’s Haas Park where aspiring local football players got to be trained by City players and coaches.
The team were in the city ahead of their International Champions Cup match against Borussia Dortmund on Friday at Soldier Field.
Members of the City first team, including new signing Riyad Mahrez, attended the festival alongside club ambassadors and former players Mike Summerbee and Paul Dickov.
The UAE Special Olympics team, in Chicago for the Games’ 50th anniversary celebrations taking place this month, also visited the festival ahead of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, due to take place in the UAE capital in March next year.
Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 is part of the UAE’s National Vision 2021 that highlights full integration of ‘people of determination’ into everyday society.
Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the most unified games in history and promises to offer an inclusive experience for those with and without intellectual disabilities.
Local community members, alongside members of City supporters’ clubs, took part in the festival where they experienced exciting fan activations and football-themed games.
Supporters also got the chance to have their photo taken with the Premier League trophy and League Cup that were won by City last season.
This festival builds on Manchester City’s global community work that is delivered in 18 cities around the world through the Cityzens Giving programme – empowering young leaders to use football to tackle important social issues in their communities.
The festival took place at the football facilities at Haas Park Soccer Field that was originally gifted by the UAE embassy in October 2012 and where hundreds of local children have benefitted from football and education sessions.
Omar Berrada, Manchester City’s chief operating officer, said: “One of the most special things about Manchester City’s international tours is getting the opportunity to host events in the local communities that we visit.
“Football festivals like we saw today in Chicago are a fantastic way for us to provide fun and inclusive activities for children and young people, and bring an authentic City experience right into the neighbourhoods of our supporters.”
