Once again Ayia Napa will play hosts to the 17th edition of the annual international Ayia Napa Tournament that will take place from the 8th to the 12th of April 2017. It is the largest tournament for academies in the Mediterranean, which featured last year a record number of 320 teams and 4500 young footballers. This year 19 teams coming from Great Britain, Romania, Poland, Lebanon and Jordan. In total a record number of 334 teams is taking part.

Players aged 6 to 16 will compete in the tournament, which for the first time will also feature two women’s categories: One for girls over 16 years old and one for girls under 16. The tournament is organized by SoccerWorldCyprus.

As accustomed, the first kick off will take place on the morning of the Saturday before Easter, which this year will be April 8th. The finals are scheduled for Wednesday April 12th. All the matches will be played at the Ayia Napa Municipal Stadium and the adjacent Athletic Center of Ayia Napa, which is composed by 15 full sized pitches.

The Cyprus Tourism Organization is the Main Sponsor of the tournament, which is under the auspices of the Cyprus Football Association and the Municipality of Ayia Napa.

An International aspect

In cooperation with the Cyprus Tourism Organization, the hosts have been making huge steps the previous years into creating an international aspect surrounding the tournament. The excellent weather and the ideal pitch conditions are a huge positive factor. In 2016 five academies with ten teams from abroad competed, a number which is expected to be broken in 2017.

Saturday April 8th will feature the kick off of the boy’s categories between 2005 and 2010 and both of the girl’s categories. The age group of 2004 will kick off on Sunday April 9th and the ages 2001, 2002 and 2003 on Monday April 10th.

For more info and registration visit www.ayianapasoccerfestival.com.