Number of PA children's football centres to be more than doubled by 2015

Celebration of 10th anniversary of the Peoples' Association (PA) PAssion Children's Football programme which benefits disadvantaged children. The People's Association (PA) will increase the number of its children's football centres to 50 by 2015
Celebration of 10th anniversary of the Peoples' Association (PA) PAssion Children's Football programme which benefits disadvantaged children. The People's Association (PA) will increase the number of its children's football centres to 50 by 2015, more than double the 22 it has now. -- ST PHOTO: MATTHIAS HO

The People's Association (PA) will increase the number of its children's football centres to 50 by 2015, more than double the 22 it has now.

About $170,000 from the POSB PAssion Kids Fund - a partnership between the PA and POSB bank - will be contributed each year to help the centres reach out to more children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

PA chief executive director Ang Hak Seng announced this on Sunday at the sidelines of a carnival to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PA PAssion Children's Football programme. Since 2004, close to 6,000 young people have participated in the football programme, which organises weekly training for children aged five to 12.

Ms Grace Fu, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, was the guest of honour at the carnival, which was held at a field near the PA headquarters in Jalan Besar. She said: "We want the kids from low-income families to feel that they can participate as well, just like any other person."

Mr Ang said: "The programme is more than just a game for children to play. It has provided a platform for children to develop a love for sports and ... strengthen their resilience."

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