Pay TV platform StarTimes TV Nigeria is working with the Abuja-based VOE Foundation to host the FC Bayern Youth Cup.
The football tournament, organised by German club FC Bayern, is for U-16 males born between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003. It is scheduled to begin on January 13 and conclude March 10.
The competition will be held in eight locations across Nigeria in two stages, the national qualifiers and the national finals. It will then progress to the world finals in Germany.
The locations of the Nigerian tournament include: Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Lagos Island and Mainland, and Abuja.
According to Qasim Elegbede, brand and marketing director at StarTimes Nigeria: “The national qualifiers will commence on January 13 in Abuja and end on February 25 in Lagos, while the national finals will be played on March 10 and 11 in Abuja.”
After the national finals in Nigeria, the best 10 players selected by a FC Bayern representative will represent Team Nigeria at FC Bayern Youth Cup world finals in Germany. This marks the first time an African country is taking part in the competition.
Speaking about the tournament to be held in Nigeria, FC Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic said: “The FC Bayern Youth Cup is a great platform for young players from all over the world to showcase their talent.
“The chance to win a trip to Munich and take part in a five-day training camp with FC Bayern is unique. The young players from Nigeria will meet FC Bayern first team players, visit the last Bundesliga match of the season and play the final tournament just one day afterwards in the Allianz Arena.”
The FC Bayern Youth Cup has had teams from Asia, Europe, North and South America participate since its inception in 2012. Registration for the tournament will end on January 5.
StarTimes TV is one of the leading pay TV platforms in Africa with over 80 channels. StarTimes TV also has exclusive rights to broadcast the 2018 Fifa World Cup, to be held in Russia.
tagged in: FC Bayern Youth Cup, Germany, Hasan Salihamidzic, Qasim Elegbede, StarTimes Nigeria, StarTimes TV, VOE Foundation