And two of them were so good in their performances during a Summer Soccer School - a joint venture by Operation Breakthrough and the Arsenal Football Club - that they were selected to take part in the Arsenal International Youth Tournament in the UK between July 29 and August 10.

The two lucky kids, both from Yau Tsim District, recounted their experiences in the UK to media representatives during a news conference on the joint venture in KGV School on October 8. One of them, Hark, from Nepal, said he immensely enjoyed his 10-day stay in the UK, playing against many young, budding players. "Although my team had not won, I hope someday I can play as a professional," he added.

Operation Breakthrough launched the Summer Soccer School in June with sponsorship by the Hong Kong British Chamber of Commerce, the Scottish Business Group and Hong Kong Football Academy. This initiative was a pilot but got off to a cracking start.

Response to the summer soccer school was overwhelming, with kids from Yau Tsim, Mongkok, Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, Sau Mau Ping, Tsuen Wan and Wong Tai Sin participating under the care of police officers.

In addition to the seven district teams, Arsenal Soccer Schools also fielded one team to make a total of eight teams, each of 15 boys. The kids from the police districts met every Saturday at seven police stations where they were transported by bus to KGV School for coaching by four Arsenal Soccer Schools coaches, who were assisted by police officers who gave up their free time for this volunteer work.

During a three-hour coaching session, the kids were trained in soccer skills and also played in a mini-soccer league, with all coaching, transport, snacks, drinks and football kit being taken care of by sponsors and eight private companies.

Arsenal Soccer Schools and Operation Breakthrough even funded the two boys' trip to the UK.

Presently there are about 240 kids involved in Operation Breakthrough at any one time. Invariably they come from a disadvantaged background, some from single parent families. As such, the project also uses social workers from non-governmental organisations to help the kids deal with a wide variety of issues they face. The social workers attend most training sessions, matches and other events.

Recently, the work of Operation Breakthrough was recognised by the Laureus World Sports Foundation, which adopted the scheme as one of their "Sport for Good" projects.

Operation Breakthrough is getting more public recognition with its sporting activities for kids

Operation Breakthrough kids also hone their skills in a mini-soccer league after their coaching