Ghana’s Asante Kotoko would participate in the 76th edition of the Blue Stars/Fifa Youth Cup Tournament in Zurich Switzerland. The tournament which involves best youth clubs in the world comes off between the 28th and 29th of May 2014.
In an interview with the Overseas manager of Fresh Talents Sports management(FTSM), the company which secured the deal for Asante Kotoko, Mr. Yao Kpodoh, the tournament is aimed at promoting youth football and it currently attracts teams from all over the world, including Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Mexico and Spain.
Ghana’s participation he noted would further promote youth football in Ghana and expects a successful participation of Asante Kotoko and hope they win the tournament.
“The CEO of FTSM, Mr. Kenneth Kwame Asante is currently in touch with Mr. Opoku-Nti the general manager of Asante Kotoko so as they prepare for this important tournament “Mr. Kpodoh
On his part, the Chairman of FTSM, Mr. Jeffries Quaye, is assuring Ghanaians of his company’s readiness in making this tournament the best so far .According to him, they are mobilizing great support for Asante Kotoko and the whole Ghanaian community both far and near Zurich will be there to support them to victory.
Founded in 1939 by FC Blue Stars, Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup is an international youth club football tournament. The Zurich based club was one of the first to have a separate youth section. This youth section expanded to include a tournament involving the best youth teams in the world. Recognizing its importance to youth football, FIFA took over the tournament in 1991.
Football stars like Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, George Best, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and many more started their famous career through this tournament.
In 2011 Black Stars left winger Christian Atsu with FC Porto won the Golding ball as the best player of the tournament. This is the grounds where stars are born and Asante Kotoko Youth team is getting ready to stamp the club’s name in Fifa`s book of this prestigious tournaments.
Some of the Participating Clubs this year are 2014:
Benfica Lisbon –Portugal
Atletico Parannaense – Brazil
FC Zurich – Switzerland
FC Sion – Switzerland
Asante Kotoko SC – Ghana
FC Bayern Munchen – Germany
Villareal CP – Spain
Grasshopper Club – Switzerland
FC Blue Stars – Switzerland
Olypiacos Piraeus – Greece
Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs was the first Ghanaian team to participate in this tournament followed by Abedi Pele’s Nania FC