International youth football tournament opens
The Cayman Islands Under-15 National Team
(CNS): The second annual Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup starts today, with the best of Cayman’s under-15 footballers going up against some of the world’s best teams in that age category.
The international players competing against Cayman’s Academy Select, the Cayman Islands National Under-15 and West Bay Select teams represent the US, with Chicago Fire from Illinois and IMG Academy from Florida; Honduras, with FC Motagua; the UK, with Ipswich Town FC; and Jamaica, with St George’s College.
From now through 10 May, football matches will be played at the Annex in George Town and the Ed Bush Stadium in West Bay, with a match also played at the Cayman Brac Sports Complex. The first match, which will be played today at 5pm at the Annex, will feature Ipswich against Cayman’s Academy Select side. The opening ceremony begins at 4.30pm. Admission to all games is $5 for adults and $1 for children.
The five days of football will culminate with the final match on Sunday, 10 May at 6.30pm at the Annex. The closing ceremony will take place at 8pm that evening.
Fabian Whorms, President and Chief Executive Officer for Cayman Airways said: “It takes dedication, a strong team spirit, integrity, a good deal of maturity and an incredible passion for the sport for young people to play football at a high level.
“We know tournaments such as the Cayman Airways Invitational Youth Cup, aimed specifically at the under 15s, will go a long way in helping our players develop important skills, which they can then carry through and nurture all the way to adulthood.”
Along with title sponsors Cayman Airways, which is flying all the international players in for the tournament, a range of government and corporate sponsors are supporting the event.
In addition, Burger King is sponsoring the “Say no to Bullying” theme for the tournament, to help bring awareness to this serious issue which affects young people everywhere. Organisers are asking people to “like” the theme on each individual team’s Facebook page. The team with the most “likes” will be rewarded with a free Stingray City trip for up to 20 people worth $3,000, sponsored by Captain Marvin’s.
