VW brings soccer and skills to youth in need

Young soccer players enjoy a day at Volkswagen's Rainbow Bridge Project in Jinggangshan, Jiangxi province. Provided to China Daily

Volkswagen is lending a helping hand in China's underdeveloped regions by offering local youth the chance to play high-level soccer and study the latest in automotive technology.

One of its recent efforts is a soccer team it established for primary school students in Jinggangshan, Jiangxi province through the Rainbow Bridge Project, an initiative by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

"Kids here have little opportunity to see the outside world, so we hope the program can help boost their confidence and broaden their horizons," said Yang Meihong, vice-president of Volkswagen Group China.

In addition to financial support, Volkswagen will help arrange for players to train and play in Germany.

Yang said the program is already working for players on teams Volkswagen established in Hong'an county, Hubei province and Yan'an city, Shaanxi province.

The teams were flown to play football in Berlin in March when President Xi Jinping, then on a state visit to Germany, was in the stands.

"After the competition, President Xi met with them and said he believes in them - that proved a great boost to their confidence," said Yang.

Volkswagen has also donated five advanced engines and transmissions to a vocational school in Xingguo county in Jiangxi province to help students advance their knowledge and skills.

The donation came after Yang's team found engines used in many vocational schools are no longer produced or used in the country.

"So we decided to offer the most advanced equipment for their study so they can find employment after graduation," said Yang.

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