Eight aspiring footballers from across Asia sent to train with QPR

AirAsia has sent eight promising footballers from Asia to London, UK for a unique
training and cultural experience with Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR).

They were selected as winners late last year during the annual AirAsia-QPR Coaching Clinic, a joint effort by AirAsia and QPR in the Community Trust to provide a platform for local talents to hone their skills.

The coaching clinic consisted of four full-day sessions run by QPR team coaches between 23 November and 3 December 2016 in Penang, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand; Bandung, Indonesia and Shenzhen, China with approximately 260 athletes aged 14 to 16.

Lessons included ball manipulation techniques, passing and shooting, a nutrition workshop and other tactical aspects of football, all to enhance their skills and competency on the pitch.

The youths are Mohammad Alif Amzar Mohd Hisham, 17, and Kengo Lee, 17, from Malaysia, Parin Bunyalakha, 16, and Sathit Sisophakiri, 15, from Thailand, Ahludz Dzikri Fikri, 15, Hamsa Medari Lestaluhu, 14, and Muhammad Alfiqri, 16, from Indonesia and Li Te, 14, from China.

In London, they will be put through their paces during an intensive one-week training course with QPR youth coaches from 26 February to 5 March 2017, culminating in a friendly match against an invited team.

The eight winners will be given a full QPR training kit and winter attire upon arrival, including AirAsia-QPR Coaching Clinic jerseys and duffel bags, QPR gloves, jacket, pants and training sweats as well as AirAsia caps.

They will also get to tour the club's Loftus Road home stadium and academy, meet the first team players and coaches, and be introduced to QPR fans on match day.

AirAsia Executive Chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said, "As we enter our fourth year, I am greatly encouraged to see the difference this clinic has made in the lives of young footballers in Asia, from Indonesia all the way to China.

"Since the first clinic in 2013, we have succeeded in enriching the lives of over 1,000 football hopefuls in this region, 29 of whom were also given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with a Championship side. This demonstrates AirAsia's commitment to making everyone's dream come true, and I couldn't be more thrilled that we are a part of this."

QPR Trust CEO Andy Evans said, "This is a unique opportunity for QPR to work with AirAsia and provide an amazing week's coaching activities for the young players we selected from Asia in November and December.

"QPR coaches will deliver a wide-range of different sessions, with the aim of developing each participant's individual and team game throughout the week. The young players will also get up close to the QPR culture and experience what it is like to be part of the QPR family, they will get the chance to learn from our first class coaching methods, experience the Loftus Road match day atmosphere and explore our fantastic city of London.

"On behalf of everyone at QPR, we are excited to welcome them to London for what will be a once in a lifetime experience."

AirAsia is an official sponsor of QPR. Asia's largest low-cost carrier is also involved in numerous other sports development initiatives for the benefit of youths, creating opportunities and providing them with a platform to achieve success and realise their dreams to compete at the highest levels.

Follow AirAsia on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) or QPR in the Community Trust (@QPRTrust) on Twitter.