VIVA Bahrain over one week starting from Tuesday May 31st will register 2000 male or female footballers between the age of 12 and 18 years.
“We have a very efficient way of screening the winners to pick the 33 winners out of 2000 initially target to register with VIVA Manchester United Campaign,” Abdulrahman Al-Omar, CEO of VIVA Bahrain, said.
To be one of the 33 winners, young footballers will need to register themselves at the VIVA Manchester United Zone at Seef Mall to secure a spot in the auditions. All registered footballers will then be contacted via their VIVA line at the beginning of June and updated on their designated audition slot.
“The VIVA Manchester United Soccer School campaign is a fantastic opportunity to encourage and develop the football skills of young players at one of the best training camps in the world,” Ibrahim Al-Omar, CEO of VIVA Bahrain said.
“This campaign is in true style of taking advantage of our official sponsorship with Manchester United to make dreams come true for football enthusiasts. We are delighted to receive support from the Bahrain Football Association who will help us choose the best talents in Bahrain,” he added.
The week will also include a behind-the-scenes tour and conclude with a closing ceremony at Old Trafford.
“We welcome this initiative by VIVA Bahrain, which supports grassroots football. This is a great chance for aspiring footballers to improve their technique and benefit from on-the-ground training offered by highly qualified UEFA coaches,” Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Olympic Committee said.
“It is great to be in Bahrain and see a lot of enthusiasm for football amongst the youngsters. I am sure the young footballers will learn a lot from this intensive training course and will share their new skills with their school and club mates,” Denis Irwin said, who is a winner of 13 major honours in his successful career with the club that spanned 12 years.
The campaign is open to all footballers, male or female, aged 12-18 years of age who live in Bahrain. Registrations for the audition week open on May 31 until June 7 and will be accepted only at the VIVA Manchester United Zone, Seef Mall. A registration kit will be handed over to each participant including a form to fill in their basic information, football position and parents’ consent.
The young footballers will be tested on their football skills through six-a-side matches, which will take place at the Bahrain Football Association training pitches from 19 – 25 June 2011.
Local coaches certified by the Bahrain Football Association will view the performance of all players and select a total of 240 footballers who will go on to the final selection weekend on 24 – 25 June 2011. Manchester United coaches will be flying in from the UK especially to select the final 33 winners.
A fully paid trip for 33 footballers to train at the Manchester United Soccer School in Carrington, UK will be paid by VIVA Bahrain.