April 28, 2014

Children in Brazil are ready to kick-off an exciting summer of sport thanks to a partnership between AkzoNobel and the Cruyff Foundation.

The company supports the Foundation's efforts to make sport more accessible to children and a dedicated playing area - known as a Cruyff Court - has just reopened in São Paulo after being renovated with AkzoNobel paint.

In addition, the company is also sponsoring a team of youngsters that uses the court so that they can travel to Amsterdam to take part in the World Cup Cruyff Courts 6 vs 6 - a football tournament for boys and girls up to the age of 12 - which takes place in early June.

"As a global company, we do as much as we can to support local communities and provide young people with new learning experiences," said Conrad Keijzer, AkzoNobel's Executive Committee member responsible for Performance Coatings.

"Sport is a great way to convey values such as team spirit and a sense of responsibility and the new facility will bring joy to many people. I am therefore very proud that AkzoNobel is one of the top partners of the Cruyff Foundation, because together we can give back to communities across the world."

The refurbished facility - one of 184 Cruyff Courts around the world - was renovated using products from AkzoNobel's Coral brand, which is the leading decorative paints brand in Brazil. It officially reopened on Saturday after being closed for several months.

June's World Cup Cruyff Courts 6 vs 6 will be staged at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, when 16 teams will take part. As well as competing in the tournament, they will also engage in a cultural exchange so that they can learn from each other and their cultures.

Added Carole Thate, director the Cruyff Foundation: "The tournament in Amsterdam will be a very special and wonderful event and I'm sure the team of young boys and girls from São Paulo will have an experience they will never forget."

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