At the Al Kass International Cup 2016, 12 elite academy teams including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and SL Benfica will compete in the under 17s (U17) tournament to be held at the Aspire Academy outdoor football fields.
Action during the match between Aspire Qatar and AC Milan in 2015.
The impressive line-up of players means football fans in Doha will get the chance to watch some of the world’s finest young talents in action during the 11-day competition that will also feature Qatari teenagers.
The acclaimed Aspire Qatar team including Aspire Football Dreams will compete against clubs from Spain, Italy, France, Japan, China, Argentina, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
Mohammad Khalifa al-Suwaidi, Acting CEO of Aspire Zone, expressed his confidence in the opportunity the tournament facilitates for Qatari players to enhance their skills and gain international experience.
“It is a great honour and privilege to be welcoming some of the world’s very best young footballing prospects to Doha for the fifth edition of the Al Kass International Cup following on from the distinguished performance of our national players, some of whom from Aspire Academy, in the Asian Football Federation U23 Championship,” he said.
“Previous Al Kass tournaments have contributed greatly to the development of the skills of the buddying players at Aspire Academy due to contact with their peers from some of the sport’s top academies. This tournament has become one of the most important international football tournaments for this age category, and one of the most eagerly anticipated activities at Aspire Zone. We are proud to co-organise and sponsor this championship held on our fields, as a contribution to the advancement of football in support of the vision of our nation’s leadership to establish Qatar as an international sporting destination, and support the youth by nurturing a promising generation that can contribute to the future of our country.”
Participating teams have and will continue to arrive in Doha over the coming days as local fans look forward to group stage games between some of the world’s leading football clubs.
On the first day of the competition, Inter Milan will face Chinese team Shanghai Greenland, while SL Benfica and FC Redbull Salzburg will play against Aspire Football Dreams and Celtic Glasgow respectively. Official tournament sponsor Al Kass TV will be broadcasting all games live.
Looking forward to another exciting tournament, Essa Abdulla al-Hitmi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of Al Kass International Cup, said, “Kicking off its fifth year in 2016, the Al Kass International Cup has cemented its place as one of the premier youth football tournaments globally.
This year we will continue to build on this reputation with world-class broadcasting of the outstanding displays of football that we have come to expect from the Al Kass International Cup.
“Following on from the huge success of last year’s competition, Al Kass look forward to showcasing all the live action in 2016 to football fans all over the world,” he added.
Hassan al-Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery& Legacy, said, “Since its launch in 2012, the Al Kass International Cup has been determined to develop a long-lasting legacy that will be passed on to future generations. That legacy is designed to continue the success this tournament has enjoyed in discovering the stars of the future, both from Qatar and from abroad. The success of this tournament demonstrates the commitment Qatar has to grassroots football and to keep showing this country has the passion, knowledge and determination to utilize the power of football.
“Through the friendships forged during this tournament, we hope clubs can build a lasting relationship with Qatar from now until the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar is investing in the future of football to become one of the leading sports capitals of the world. The hosting of this tournament only confirms the capabilities of this country when it comes to hosting major international sporting events,” he added.
Mansoor al-Ansari, General Secretary, Qatar Football Association, said, “Over the past four years, the Al Kass International Cup has become one of the most sought after championships for international clubs seeking to prepare their junior players. Players in previous Al Kass tournaments have gone on to play with the first teams of their respective clubs, which makes this competition the perfect place to scout for young talent among some of the world’s top football academies.”