 |
 He has already retired from international soccer but the popular Zinedine Zidane -- or "Zizou" as he is affectionately known -- remains a firm favorite among fans here.
A small cigarette stall on Jl. Jatinegara Barat in East Jakarta proudly bears the name of Zidane -- who captained France to 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euro Cup victories -- thousands of miles away from France, where the star lives.
More than a year after his retirement, Zidane is scheduled to visit Jakarta for three days to meet children and soccer fans, organizers announced Wednesday.
"I'd like to confirm that Zidane will be arriving here next week as Groupe Danone's ambassador for children's programs and goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Program," president director of Danone Aqua Indonesia, Pascal de Petrini, said at a press conference.
"He will meet with children and promote a healthy lifestyle, through sports," he said.
The 1998, 2000 and 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year is also scheduled to meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and participate in events organized by the Soccer Association of Indonesia.
Accompanied by Groupe Danone chairman and CEO Franck Riboud, Zidane, who celebrated his 35th birthday on June 23, will also attend the opening of a new Danone Dairy plant in Bandung, West Java.
A press conference with Zidane has been scheduled for July 8.
Zidane will meet the Indonesian team that will compete in this year's Danone Nations Cup -- a soccer tournament for children between the ages of 10 and 12 -- in Lyon, France, from June 29 to July 1.
The team from Karang Gayam soccer school in Surabaya won the nationwide qualifying round and secured a ticket to represent Indonesia in the competition. The team left for France on Tuesday but will return to Jakarta in time to meet Zizou.
Last year, Indonesia was represented by the Makassar Football School in the Cup. They finished fourth and were honored as the best defensive team.
top
|
