CITY welcomed some special guests at the weekend – a group of underprivileged Thai youngsters bidding to better themselves through football.

The party of 15 were at Eastlands courtesy of the Thaicom Foundation founded by Blues owner and chairman Thaksin Shinawatra, who set up the non-profit organisation.

Every youngster between 12 and 15 years of age was given the chance to test their football skills and win the trip to Manchester.

Candidates were assessed initially by Blues players Kasper Schmeichel and Kelvin Etuhu during their visit to Thailand and later by City in the Community chief Alex Williams at a final in Bangkok.

The kids watched Saturday’s match with Fulham, met Sven-Goran Eriksson and enjoyed training sessions with youth team coaches.

In other Academy news, City have appointed former Thai national coach, Roberto Carlos de Carvalho as an advisor to the development of the Club’s international academies.

The 60-year-old Brazilian coach will examine options of creating academies and soccer schools in the Asia rim.

Shinawatra has recently stated his ambition to create a network of academies in the region.

Carvalho has previously coached in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and his home country, Brazil.

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