Roberto Baggio presents football camp for kids in Croatia

Roberto Baggio with Luka Modrić in Opatija on Thursday (Photo: HNS)

OPATIJA, 6 June 2019 – Former Italian football star Roberto Baggio was in Opatija, Croatia on Thursday presenting the Italia Soccer Camp kids. 

The camp will be held from 1-5 July 2019 in Zagreb for 150 kids aged 7-14. Kids from the Zagreb children’s home will be involved in the project which is organised by Privredna banka Zagreb (PBZ) and supported by Generali. 

Kids attending the camp will have the opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and skills about football techniques and tactics by well-known and proven methods from top football players.

Baggio, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or, spoke about the football camp programme.

“We are here today in Opatija, thanks to the support of Privredna banka Zagreb, and because we firmly believe that your country has great potential for the world of football, and you have proved it with numerous examples. Children who will take part in this camp can get a chance to train by the methods of top football players,” said Roberto Baggio.

Roberto Baggio with Zlatko Dalić and Luka Modrić (Photo: HNS)

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić and captain Luka Modrić, who were based in Opatija ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifier against Wales on Saturday, were also at the presentation. 

Also in attendance were Rosario Strano, Chief Operating Officer at Intesa Sanpaolo Grupe, Dinko Lucić, Chairman of the Board of PBZ, Jasna Ćurković Kelava, Director Children’s home Zagreb, Marco Schembri from Sport Goals Ltd and Vittorio Petrone, Roberto Baggio’s manager. 

Baggio and Modrić chat (Photo: HNS)

“In Croatia football is the most popular sport. That’s why we support this incredible project, thanks to which young people can train with seasoned coaches and players. Croatia is famous for many successful athletes and we hope that one of the young football talents will one day successfully represent our country as a big soccer star like Luka Modrić today, who I especially thank for having responded to our call to be here with us,” said Lucić.

Dalić and Baggio (Photo: HNS)

“We see the Italia Soccer Camp as a significant investment in children across Europe. Perhaps there will be a great future football talent in those camps. I am delighted and respectful of the cooperation with top athletes who are inspiration and role models for young football fans. One of them is undoubtedly the football legend Roberto Baggio, who this year with his presence paid special tribute to this year’s football camp being held in Croatia,” said Schembri from organisers Sport Goals. 

Two participants from the camp in Croatia will be selected to travel to Italy to attend the Italy Soccer Camp Day in 2020.