Courtesy: Daily Times

French football star Zidane in Indonesia

JAKARTA: French football hero Zinedine Zidane gave a spot of coaching to Indonesia’s president Friday as he began a three-day visit in the world’s fourth most populous nation to promote his sport to children. Clad in a batik shirt, jeans and runners, the star helped President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono along with some of Indonesia’s young players practise a few passes as they met in the gardens of the presidential palace. “I’m sure I’m going to have great pleasure and a lot of fun here in Indonesia as this is my first visit,” the 35-year-old told reporters.

“People talked a lot about the kindness of Indonesian people and I can already see (it) in the eyes of the people since I arrived at the airport.” Turning to Yudhoyono he said, “I have a present for you Mr. President,” before handing him two signed shirts and several soccer balls. The president said he hoped Zidane would “inspire” Indonesia’s young football players. A motorcade for Zidane is planned through the normally traffic-snarled streets of Jakarta early Sunday morning, said Taufik Yudi, head of sports and youth at the Jakarta governor’s office. The footballer will take part in a bid to break the national record for the most number of “futsal”, the official indoor soccer game of FIFA, held at one time, he told AFP.

“About 2,000 people from various youth groups and sport clubs will play futsal... There will be 200 futsal fields along the streets,” he said, adding that Zidane, Governor Sutiyoso and Indonesian ex-national player Roni Patinasarani would join a match. Zidane is also expected to hold a coaching clinic for children during his visit in his role as an ambassador for children’s programmes for French company Groupe Danone. He will give a press briefing on Sunday. The former Real Madrid and Juventus midfielder won worldwide headlines when he was involved in a head-butting incident with Italy’s Marco Materazzi during the final of the 2006 World Cup. He retired from professional football after the tournament.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com