Former coach of Korean national soccer team, Guus Hiddink, was recently on the island for the opening of the Hiddink Dream Field. The field is for the exclusive use of the disabled in playing a variant of soccer called "futsal." As Mike Laidman now reports, Hiddink is setting up these facilities in every city that hosted a World Cup game in 2002, when he was the coach of the Korean team.
Young soccer players are showing their skills on the field. The children are mentally challenged, and are practicing under the watchful eye of a familiar face, standing off to the side.
It is Guus Hiddink, the former coach of the Korean national soccer team who led them to their legendary semifinal performance at the 2002 World Cup. The young players cannot believe that they are playing soccer under the instruction of a world-renowned coach.
Hiddink visited Jeju to participate in the opening ceremony of the Hiddink Dream Field, an exclusive futsal ground for the disabled.
So that all children with disabilities can hope and dream, Hiddink has built futsal grounds for the visually impaired since 2007 in every Korean city which hosted one of the 2002 World Cup soccer games.
Hiddink's contribution to Jeju is at the Jeju National University sports ground, and is made possible with the financial support of the Hiddink Foundation. In his speech, Korea's former coach showed a special affection for the island province. The coach also mentioned that he would like to set up a futsal ground for disabled children in North Korea, if at all possible.
Guus Hiddink, beloved by all Koreans for his contributions to the national team, has returned this affection by establishing a field for disabled children in Jeju, and through this, also giving them hope and a chance to dream.
Mike Laidman, KCTV.
KCTV: Dream Field