Chevrolet Donates Vehicles, Football Kits and Coaching in UAE to Empower Children with Special Needs through Play

Chevrolet recently donated a 2016 Tahoe and 2016 Express, football equipment and resources for coaching to benefit children with special needs throughout the United Arab Emirates as part of its Beautiful Possibilities Program.

“We believe play has the power to change lives and shape communities,” said Abdallah Madhoun, GM Middle East, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager. “We have seen football unite people and provide opportunities, and we are excited to work with children who will truly benefit from this donation.”

As part of its ongoing global commitment to bring play to communities across the world, Chevrolet is partnering with Soccerkids Dubai, one of the largest football coaching academies in the UAE. The organization teaches more than 2,000 children and emphasizes team play and enjoyment, ensuring every child fulfills their potential.

Local children joined Manchester United Ambassador Bryan Robson at the Armed Forces Officers Club to celebrate Chevrolet’s donation, which includes a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Express, football kits, coaching and resources for pitch usage at local venues across the country. The vehicles will allow coaches to bring athletes to and from practice, equipment and staff to venues in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, alleviating transportation issues for children involved in the Soccerkids programs.  

“At Soccerkids, Football is our passion, and to be able to share this with children and adults who do not have the opportunity to play the game or unable to integrate with others due to their individual special needs, makes this project so exciting and worthwhile,” said Ben McBride, managing director, Soccerkids. “We would like to thank Chevrolet for allowing us the possibility of bringing our sessions to these schools and centres, you have made an amazing difference to so many lives in such a short period of time.”

Chevrolet resources will greatly expand Soccerkids Champions, a complimentary football program for people with special needs, a large majority of which are children. With Chevrolet’s help, Socckerkids Champions will have more coaching services for 250 children with special needs, including those at the New England Center for children with autism and the Abu Dhabi Care Center for Special Needs in Abu Dhabi, and the Al Noor School for children with special needs in Dubai. Coaching sessions will also be made available at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi, GEMS Wellington School in Dubai and Ahdaaf Sports Club in Dubai. 

Chevrolet works with local non-profit organizations around the world to revitalize and transform communities to enable children reliable and safe participation in football. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the latest communities to benefit from Chevrolet’s Beautiful Possibilities Program, joining others in the United States, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Thailand. 

Additionally, Chevrolet is donating One World Futbols to Soccerkids Dubai. Chevrolet is an official sponsor of One World Play Project, creator of the One World Futbol – an ultra-durable football ball that never needs a pump and never goes flat, even when punctured. Since October 2012, Chevrolet and One World Play Project have donated more than 1.6 million ultra-durable One World Futbols, bringing the power of play to an estimated 48 million youth in over 90 countries worldwide. The balls are being used in programs that provide education, teach essential life skills and encourage conflict resolution to youth living in disadvantaged areas. Together, the partners will donate 2 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols by the end of 2018.