International Youth Football Tournament

DOHA December 31 (QNA) - DOHA SATELLITE sports channel Al Dawri & Al Kass has launched an international youth football tournament in which some of the biggest football clubs of the world are sending their youth teams to compete. The first edition is scheduled to be held from January 8-17, 2012 at the Aspire Dome in Doha. Known as the Al Kass International Cup U-17, the competition is being organised by Al Dawri & Al Kass Sports Channel (Al Kass), together with Qatar Football Association and Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF). Speaking at the press conference Issa bin Abdulla al Hitmi, General Manager of Al Kass, said, "This is going to be the first edition of an annual event that is set to further contribute to the building of a football culture in Qatar in the run up to the FIFA World Cup 2022 and beyond." Nasser al Khater, Qatar 2022 World Cup Director of Communications said, "I am thrilled we are partners in the event and we are open to be part of any cause towards the World Cup 2022." "The tournament is an opportunity for our youths to rub shoulders with some of the best teams in the world; it’s also an opportunity to showcase our sporting infrastructures,” al Khater added. The initiative is expected to benefit the global youth football movement as emerging junior teams from top clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain (France), Vasco D Gama (Brazil), Juventus (Italy), Ajax Amsterdam (The Netherlands), FC Barcelona (Spain), Kashima Antlers (Japan), Al Jazira (UAE) and Al Ahly (Egypt) will be competing to win the trophy. There will also be awards given to the most valuable player of each match. Qatar will be represented by Aspire Academy that will feature two teams, Aspire Qatar and Aspire International. "Aspire Zone is honoured to be hosting such innovative tournament to support youth development in football. The Aspire Academy has a strong history of hosting visiting youth football teams for friendly matches against our Aspire teams and the Al Kass International U-17 will give our boys valuable experience. The players on display could be the future stars of world football so we just may see them returning to Qatar in 2022 to play in the FIFA World Cup." Said Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence. "Through the friendships forged during the annual Al Kass International U-17 Cup, clubs will build a lasting relationship with Qatar leading to the World Cup 2022," said Hamad al Mannai, Director of Al Kass International U-17 Cup. "We already know that Qatar is investing in the future of football and Doha is propelling itself as one of the leading sports capitals of the world, and we look forward to having a world class level of sportsmanship at the tournament, added al Mannai. Al Kass is renowned for its quality programs, unique production, in-depth coverage and professional analysis making it a top sport channel in Qatar and one of the fastest growing sport channels in the Middle East. With the tournament being held during football s winter break, Ward Abdallah, head of the tournament s media committee, said that Al Kass U-17 has the tools required to communicate with the world’s football community, "We will be launching a new website and using social media tools to ensure that we can reach and communicate directly with our Al Kass U-17 football community. (QNA)