Exciting times are ahead as the SingaCup will be back for its 9th edition from 2nd to 8th November 2019! Here’s five things that you definitey need to know ahead of the ever-growing international youth football tournament!
Asia’s largest international 11-aside youth football tournament
The SingaCup is the single largest international youth football tournament in Asia, with 70 over traveling teams converging in the lush greeneries of the host city – which is none other than Singapore!
Organized by Dynamique Konzepts Pte Ltd, the first edition of the SingaCup was held in 2011 with 12 teams in a 5-day long tournament. Over the years, the number of teams and categories were expanded as it grew in stature to become the marquee international youth football tournament in this region.
With categories ranging from Under-8 to Under-18, it is definitely a well-rounded tournament which seeks to showcase exciting raw gems from Asia and abroad with the youths having the chance to test themselves in a competitive environment. With the possibility of impressing visiting scouts, it may lead them to exciting opportunities to trial with prestigious clubs in this region or even Europe.
A breeding ground for promising Southeast Asian footballers
Over the years, SingaCup has overseen the rise of some prominent names who went on to become professional footballers and represent their countries at the senior level.
The notable luminaries include – Javier Gayoso (SingaCup 2013 Boys U18 Golden Boot Award Winner), who is now a well-established Philippines international with a number of caps and Chitnuphong Phraengphrom (SingaCup 2013 Boys U14 Most Valuable Player), who is now part of the Thai League 1 side Port FC.
And how can we forget Ikhsan Fandi? Having impressed in the inaugural 2011 edition where he was crowned the Most Valuable Player in the U14 category, the second son of Singapore legendary forward Fandi Ahmad is now plying his trade in Norway’s second-tier with Raufoss IL and making quite a name for himself.
The Women’s game not neglected
With the regional and global growth of the women’s game, SingaCup had decided on the expansion of the women’s age-groups to include Girls U14 and U16 this year – on top of the existing U18 category which was first introduced in 2012.
An interesting fact is that the Football Association of Thailand had listed the SingaCup as part of their annual training programs at one point, with even their Girls U16 team taking part in the U18 category two years ago. The Women’s team of renowned Thai club Chonburi has also been a constant participant in recent years.
Another thing to note – SingaCup had introduced a Women 6s tournament earlier this May which brought together 12 teams across the age-groups of U12, U14 and U16.
The attendance of distinguished football guests
The rise of SingaCup has brought about the presence of distinguished guest of honours over the years. The list includes…
Tom Byer – one of the most decorated and admired grassroots football coaches in Asia, who is born in New York but now based in Tokyo, Japan.
Gareth Jennings – former Stoke City academy director who is now head of techincal leadership programs at world governing body FIFA.
Benjamin Tan – deputy CEO of Thai League.
Not just about the tournament
Apart from the week-long annual tournament in Singapore itself, the SingaCup also focused their efforts on reaching out to the wider community.
Through its corporate initiative named the SingaCup Football Experience, they have collaborated with the region’s top clubs such as Indonesia’s Persib Bandung, Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown and Thailand’s Army United to bring about smiles and laughter to more than 500 children from the underprivileged community.
With coaches brought in to conduct football clinics and through team bonding programs, these kids have managed to benefit from the SingaCup Football Experience and experience the joy of the Beautiful Game.
For more information on the SingaCup 2019, do visit the official site @ http://singacup.com/
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