Barcelona stars field questions from disabled Thai children
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Barcelona star Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto on Tuesday fielded questions from disabled Thai children on football and their personal interests as part of a charity event.
"Training and practice are very important, if you want to attain your dream," Messi advised one intellectually disabled Thai boy who had asked how to become a great footballer at the FC Barcelona-Unicef Partnership Event.
"We have to travel a lot, so what I most enjoy besides football is being with my family," he told another child.
Asked which was his favourite city, Pinto answered, "New York is the best because of the buildings and the music, and it's where hiphop came from."
Messi signed autographs for the score of disabled children and Pinto fielded some shots at a small goal put up at the Okura Hotel in Bangkok for the team's one charity event on its three-day Thailand tour.
"We have to travel a lot, so what I most enjoy besides football is being with my family," he told another child.
Asked which was his favourite city, Pinto answered, "New York is the best because of the buildings and the music, and it's where hiphop came from."
Messi signed autographs for the score of disabled children and Pinto fielded some shots at a small goal put up at the Okura Hotel in Bangkok for the team's one charity event on its three-day Thailand tour.
Barcelona and its players have been assisting Unicef since 2006 onraising awareness of the rights and needs of disabled children aroundthe world. The club contributes 1.5 million euros (2 million dollars)to help improve the lives of disabled children worldwide.
"I want to again thank the FC Barcelona Foundation and the playersfor helping us to shine a spotlight on the rights and needs of children with disabilities and other vulnerable children," said Isiye Ndombi, Unicef deputy director for East Asia and the Pacific.
Ramon Pont, vice president of the Barcelona Foundation, said: "Of all the connections we have with organisations and foundations, the one that we value most is the connection we have with Unicef." The Barcelona team, which arrived in Bangkok Monday, will play afriendly match against the Thai national team on Wednesday, before travelling on to Malaysia for another friendly match on Saturday.
Ramon Pont, vice president of the Barcelona Foundation, said: "Of all the connections we have with organisations and foundations, the one that we value most is the connection we have with Unicef." The Barcelona team, which arrived in Bangkok Monday, will play afriendly match against the Thai national team on Wednesday, before travelling on to Malaysia for another friendly match on Saturday.
