The name of Johan Cruyff is a legend throughout the world and especially in Amsterdam and Barcelona, where the Cruyff Foundation has its headquarters. This Wednesday, King Philip, accompanied by his counterpart William of the Netherlands, visited the headquarters of the foundation dedicated, among many other objectives, to facilitating sports activities for children with disabilities or from disadvantaged neighborhoods. The two kings, who were received by Susila and Jordi Cruyff, children of the late footballer, player and coach of F.C Barcelona and Ajax Amsterdam, served and made the first pass in a match played by children with disabilities.
Felipe and Guillermo have witnessed some of the activities at Ajax Betondorp's Cruyff court, in the Amsterdam neighborhood where the Dutch player was born and the first major Ajax stadium was located. Upon their arrival they were received by Susila and Jordi, the player's children, as well as the CEO of this foundation, Niels Meijer, who conveyed to them the impact of this initiative among children for social cohesion, along with other ambassadors of the foundation such as Frank Rijkaard and Daphne Koster. Jordi and Susila Cruyff have explained to them the importance of the location, so close to their father's birthplace, and the importance of social cohesion, impact for children and the message of the Foundation, who will direct two soccer teams that They will face each other on the field.
Next, the former Barça coach, Frank Rijkaard, and the former footballer Daphne Koster, who played as a defender for Ajax in the women's first division, directed a mini futsal game played by children with disabilities. King William made the serve and King Philip made the first pass. Before and after, both monarchs have chatted with the children, encouraging them to continue playing and interacting with the sport and with their peers.
The Cruyff Foundation has projects in Catalonia (adapted tennis at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona and Club te Tenis Reus Monterols, Cruyff Court Constantí); La Rioja (Club Deportivo Envero, Logroño); Aragón (Cruyff CourtAnder Herrera, Zaragoza); Cantabria (Cruyff Court Iván de la Peña); Basque Country (Cruyff Court Aritz Aduriz, Bilbao); Castilla y León (Cruyff Court Fundación Iker Casillas, Ávila), the Balearic Islands (Cruyff Court Palma) or Madrid (Cruyff Court Raúl González).
Once a year they hold an open day in which all the projects come together and nearly a thousand children with disabilities enjoy a sports day. Athletes such as Iker Casillas, Aitana Bonmatí, Álex Corretja and Xavi Hernández collaborate with the foundation.
