Epson launches tourney for U-15s and U-17s
Inaugural event allows young footballers to enjoy playing and learn from the best
Teenage footballers will get another platform to strut their stuff and the opportunity to learn from the best at the inaugural Epson Singapore Cup in September.
Epson Singapore and Sinad Sports jointly announced the launch of the competition at The Refinery yesterday.
The Epson Singapore Cup will take place at Safra Tampines, with preliminary matches on Sept 3 and 4, and the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals on Sept 10.
The seven-a-side tournament will include Under-17 and U-15 categories. The winners of each category will earn a five-day training camp with J.League club Matsumoto Yamaga and a two-day stint with the Valencia CF Soccer School in Singapore respectively.
STAGE FOR TALENTS
"Youth development is an integral element of our CSR (corporate social responsibility) focus in Singapore and around the region - and we believe that the Epson Singapore Cup represents our continuous commitment to inspire and empower our youths," said Toshimitsu Tanaka, managing director of Epson's regional office in Singapore.
"Epson Singapore Cup was borne out of a common desire to reach out to as many youths as possible, to fuel their passion and to learn from the best in the field," added Tan May Lin, Epson Singapore's general manager (sales, marketing and customer division).
"We hope that this tournament will become a viable platform for talents to be discovered, thereby contributing to raising the standard of play for the sport locally, regionally and even globally."
Before and during the tournament, S.League club Geylang International will be involved as head coach Hasrin Jailani, as well as former and current national football stars, will be making appearances to provide participants with coaching tips and playing advice.
Registration for the Epson Singapore Cup 2016 opens from today till Aug 31. Interested youth teams can download the online registration form at www.epson.com.sg/epsonsgcup2016.
The registration fees are $500 for the U-17s and $350 for the U-15s.
This competition is the latest CSR initiative by the technology giant to extend its outreach efforts in the local communities where it operates.
Other recent efforts include a one-year sponsorship agreement with Geylang International Football Club since February and an overseas training stint for local youth players (U-14 and U-15) at Matsumoto Yamaga last month.
They were also instrumental in facilitating national goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud's trial with Yamaga last December.
"I am very happy because we have a partner in Epson who is very committed and involved," said Zainudin Nordin, president of the Football Association of Singapore, who also has a three-year deal inked with Epson that runs out this year.
"We are very fortunate to have Epson as our partner and the launch of the Epson Singapore Cup is also an illustration of how they are looking at ways to develop younger talents."
FAS assistant director Rikram Jit Singh said: "We have had good synergy working with Epson Singapore and experienced how they help Singapore football with not just technology, but also with heart.
"We hope to continue working with Epson for the good of local football and also see other partners come on board."
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