Entries now open for prestigious soccer tourney
JOHANNESBURG – The tournament is open to all players over the age of 18.
In conjunction with Fifa, KIA Motors South Africa will once again host the hugely popular KIA Champ into the Arena amateur football tournament.
The five-a-side soccer tournament is hosted by multiple countries around the globe in conjunction with major Fifa events.
This is a bid to discover the best amateur soccer talent and to celebrate their talent and skill on a global stage.
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The winning team in each country’s national final round has the opportunity to represent their country in the Kia Champ into the Arena World Finals.
“Kia is very excited to once again host the Kia Champ into the Arena amateur soccer tournament,” said David Sieff, marketing director of the company in South Africa.
“South Africa has exceptional talent in the soccer arena, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to not only celebrate our homegrown players but to give them an opportunity to compete in an international tournament.”
The tournament is open to all players over the age of 18, with each team limited to entering six players (five players and one reserve).
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Tournaments will take place regionally, with up to 64 teams per region competing for a place in the national final.
Christo Valentyn, public relations and product marketing manager of the company in South Africa, said over the years, they have seen truly exceptional players and teams participate in Champ into the Arena.
“Our winning team from 2017, which participated in the World Finals as part of the Fifa Confederations Cup in Russia, made it all the way to the finals before being placed second in a penalty shootout,” he said.
“It’s this kind of grit and determination that makes the Champ into the Arena tournament stand out, and we’re very excited to again see the best of the best play their way to Russia.”
Entries close one week before each of the regional tournaments, or sooner should capacity be reached.
Entry forms are available online at www.kia.co.za; www.kiachamp.co.za
Regional finals will take place on the following dates:
- 18 March in Johannesburg at the Discovery Soccer Park, Wanderers Club in Illovo
- 8 April in Cape Town at the Evolution Sports Arena in Athlone
- 15 April in Durban at the Stella Action Soccer in Glenwood.
The national finals are scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, also at Discovery Soccer Park on 21 April.
Details: Christo Valentyn christov@kia.co.za
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