Croatian star Suker to visit Turks and Caicos Islands

Providenciales (Turks & Caicos Islands), Feb 5 (IANS/CMC) Former Croatian footballer Davor Suker is due to pay a visit to Turks and Caicos Islands this weekend.

The 1998 World Cup Golden Boot winner, currently the president of the Croatian Football Federation (CFF), is using his visit to assist the Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association's (TCIFA) effort to raise the quality of the country's football.

The celebrated footballer is due to attend a session of a grassroots development programme, meet with coaches, hold a clinic for young strikers and present football equipment on behalf of the CFF to the TCIFA.

"We welcome Mr. ?uker to our Islands and thank him for his keen interest in what we are trying to achieve through our youth football development programmes. What better way is there for kids to learn than to be coached by a World Cup legend," said TCIFA president Chris Bryan.

?uker scored 40 goals between 1984-1988 and became the best goalscorer of the former Yugoslav league. He went on to achieve numerous career highlights, in particular playing with one of the greatest football clubs in the world Real Madrid, where he was among the Kings until 1999, implementing 40 goals in Real's successes and once being the club top scorer.

"A person of Mr. ?uker's stature will definitely leave an impact on the young players and coaches alike. We welcome him with anticipation and are excited about his collaboration with the TCIFA as we work towards improving the product of the TCIFA," said TCIFA general secretary Sonia Bien-Amie.

During Suker's stint with Real Madrid, the club won a league title, domestic Supercup, one Champions League title and an Intercontinental Cup.

--IANS/CMC

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