Back Row L-R : Local football legends judged the inaugural MILO® Soccer Cup. This included Man Hon, S. Subramani, Nazri Nasir, MILO® Soccer Cup ambassador Fandi Ahmad, Rezal Hassan, as well as Malek Awab (not pictured). The judges are pictured here with Mr Chow Phee Chat, Director, Marketing Communications and Corporate Affairs of Nestlé Singapore with five of the young talents handpicked to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with FCBEscola Soccer School in Barcelona.
Singapore’s first-ever MILO® Soccer Cup came to a close today with much team camaraderie and skilful footwork displayed by promising young local talent. Five of the best players were handpicked by Singapore’s veteran footballers to embark on a once-in-alifetime opportunity to train with FCBEscola Soccer School in Barcelona.
The complimentary soccer tournament – targeted at children aged 7 to 12-years-old – saw a total of 432 individual participants and 40 teams participating in its inaugural run. Held at ITE College Central, the tournament had three playing categories – Under 8s, Under 10s and Under 12s (competitive category).
The training opportunity with FCBEscola Soccer School in Barcelona is part of MILO®’s global sports partnership with FC Barcelona. Singapore’s initiative, MILO® Soccer Cup, is aimed at inspiring active lifestyles among kids in Singapore while championing the next generation of sporting talent.
Lucky five selected
Local football legend and MILO® Soccer Cup ambassador, Fandi Ahmad, and a panel of expert judges, S. Subramani, Nazri Nasir, Man Hon, Malek Awab and Rezal Hassan handpicked five of the best and brightest soccer players across the three categories.
The judges looked out for talent who displayed key MILO® sporting values like discipline, determination and teamwork, in addition to exemplary football skills. The five talented footballers identified today are Alvin Wong, 12, Muhamad Ali Bin Manaf, 12, Rayan Putra Wilden, 9, Caden Pereira, 7, Aiman Zayani Bin Yazid, 10. (Please refer to the annex below for further details)
These budding talents will have the unique opportunity to train at FCBEscola Soccer School to experience first-hand the training methods and techniques employed by one of the world’s leading international football club and meet with aspiring young soccer players from around the world.
As part of the trip, the children will tour Camp Nou and its museum, attend football clinics, undergo classroom training and visit other places of attraction in Barcelona.
Mr Chow Phee Chat, Director, Marketing Communications and Corporate Affairs of Nestlé Singapore shared, “It’s our first-ever MILO® Soccer Cup and the reception has been fantastic! We’re thrilled that all available participant slots have been snapped up. Our intent was to offer Singaporeans an easily accessible platform to showcase the talent of our next generation and holistically celebrate great sportsmanship and excellent team work.
“Hopefully these young footballers will greatly benefit from their Barcelona experience, whether that’s picking-up football skills and techniques, receiving high-quality coaching or just making new friends. MILO® has been championing youth sport development in Singapore since the 1950s, and we have a rich history in the local football scene. We will continue to remain focused on developing and supporting initiatives which promote healthier lifestyles and physical activity among children.”
Mr Fandi Ahmad, tournament ambassador and judge for the MILO® Soccer Cup shared, “The Singaporean football talent we saw out here today are truly passionate and promising. In addition to being talented, they exhibited great on-field behaviour and sportsmanship which is key. I’m excited for these five youths because international exposure can be helpful in an athlete’s growth, with plenty of valuable and enriching experiences. Platforms like the MILO® Soccer Cup are complimentary and easily accessible which is great for our young aspiring talent. I definitely look forward to seeing how these kids will grow and shine as the next generation of Singaporean football stars.”
In addition to the lucky five who will be going to the FCBEscola Soccer School in Barcelona, the tournament also saw outstanding talent across the three playing categories. For the U12 category, the top four teams were presented with a medal, along with a tin of MILO®. The MILO® Soccer Cup was presented to the champion team, Young Cubs. Valencia C.F. came in second place, followed by The Unknown Boyz and LFA 2006 Alpha, who both tied in third place.
The top four teams from the U8 and U10 non-competitive categories were presented with the “Gold” certificate, the middle four teams with the “Silver” certificate, and the remaining four teams the “Bronze” certificate.
Members of the public also joined in to watch the excitement and gamely cheer on the young participants from the stands. They were treated to free breakfast provided by MILO®, and MILO® from the well-loved MILO® van on-site. There was also a pop-up MILO® Carnival area, with fun activities and games for the public.