with video
‘Is it here yet?’ Two hundred children are eagerly waiting for the most famous street football player in the Netherlands. And he doesn’t just come to Apeldoorn.
Daan van Eendenburg
Reporter for the municipality of Apeldoorn
They run from one side of the field to the other. Because their hero will soon arrive at the Cruyff Court (a football field) on Aristotlestraat.
The phones remain at the ready. And the longer the wait, the more children – especially teenagers – join in. Just after 3 p.m., loud screams are heard from about 200 throats: ‘Touzani! Touzani!’
On stage like a king
The Rotterdam celebrity has arrived. When Soufiane Touzani (39) walks to a podium in the center spot, the children don’t stop screaming. “Touzani, photo!” is the most commonly heard cry.
Touzani is the most famous street football player in the Netherlands. He has millions of followers on social media. He is best known for YouTube videos, in which he regularly kicks a ball with top footballers. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben, for example.
In Apeldoorn for a reason
The big question is: what is he doing in Apeldoorn? He explains this himself when he gets the microphone in his hands. “I want football to be played on every square and on every Cruyff Court in the Netherlands.”
Bringing street football to the neighborhood, that is the goal of his arrival.
To this end, Touzani has joined forces with Sportservice Apeldoorn, part of Accres. This organization is responsible for the management of Cruyff Courts on behalf of the municipality.
From now on, children at Aristotlestraat can attend free football training once a week, after which matches are played. This training is given by an employee of Sportservice Apeldoorn.
Concept catches on in Zuiderpark
The weekly training sessions have already started there, says Bart Terwisscha. He works for Sportservice Apeldoorn. “We see that it is catching on. Dozens of children come to Zuiderpark every week.”
So even if there is no famous YouTuber there, football is played.
Trainings in four places
The intention is that weekly training sessions will soon be given on four freely accessible football fields – in Orden, the Zuiderpark, Aristotlestraat and Voldersdreef.
The neighborhoods have been carefully chosen, says Terwisscha. “We know that there are young people living in this neighborhood who do not have many financial resources.” This is exactly what the training courses are intended for. But, Terwisscha immediately adds: “Everyone can participate.”
After a short speech, Touzani shows off his skills and a game is played. And then comes the moment the children had really been waiting for: a photo with their idol.
