Big fun for kids in Cali with Malaga CF

It was a day of preparation and engagement for the Malaga CF squad. Javi Gracia's players completed their first practice on South American soil at the Colegio Jefferson in Cali (Colombia). The 25 players practiced under the pleasantly sunny, 28-degree weather of the third largest city in Colombia. They went through their drills under the attentive gaze of 50 Colombian children from four schools in Cali, who enjoyed and learned from their idols during an exciting day of football.

This initiative, the product of a collaboration between LaLiga, Malaga CF, DirecTV and the World Vision Colombia Foundation, also gave the assembled schoolchildren the chance to step on the same pitch and pick up tips from the LaLiga players. Moroccan striker Nordin Amrabat was one of the most active participants, showing off his fancy moves controlling the ball with his feet with all the boys gathered around, thrilled to be in the presence of their heroes.

Roberto Rosales, the Venezuelan defender for Malaga, stressed the importance of this kind of program for Colombian children: "I think it is important to be able to provide some joy for these kids. The experience is something priceless, they are happy simply playing football and that is the most important thing."

The team completed its last official practice session in the Estadio Deportivo Cali, a prelude to the LaLiga World game that Malaga CF will play against Deportivo Cali at 17.00 Sunday in Colombia (00.00h in Spain).