Lee Sharpe, Manchester United Legend on Tuesday underlined the importance coaching, learning techniques and continuation of training for young soccer players in Bahrain.
Manchester United legend highlighted the potential and talent among youngsters and lauded the initiative of VIVA which announced the 2012 Manchester United Soccer School second year in a row.
Following the incredible success and overwhelming response of the first season of the Manchester United Soccer School in 2011, VIVA Bahrain, the official partner of Manchester United, is launching the second season of the programme to offer another lifetime opportunity to Bahrain’s young footballers and make their dreams true.
Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, CEO of VIVA Bahrain and Lee Sharpe, Manchester United Legend, announced that the company was on the hunt for 18 young footballers to train in the United Kingdom at one of the best training camps in the world.
The 18 young footballers of the VIVA Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS) 2012 programme will not only get the opportunity to be coached by world-class, UEFA certified coaches, but will also get the full unique Manchester United experience by living on campus in Myerscough College, UK, with 30 other footballers from UAE and Kuwait as part of the regional initiative by the STC Group involving young football enthusiasts.
“We are delighted to bring back the VIVA Manchester United Soccer School Programme and help make the dreams of young Bahraini footballers come true. Our aim is to cultivate the football talent in the Kingdom, it being the number one sport between all generations. The extraordinary potential and skills we saw in the 33 winners of last year’s Manchester United Soccer School Programme is one of the main reasons we are bringing it back for a second season,” Kicking off the programme’s second season, Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, VIVA CEO, said.
“It is our mission to make a positive impact in the local community in Bahrain, and through the Manchester United Soccer School Programme we are enabling young football enthusiasts to be trained by world-class coaches and taking them one step closer to achieving their dreams. We are proud to have been able to give back to our customers through our partnership with Manchester United, and we promise them that we will always continue to bring them new ways to connect with their favourite football club.”
To be one of the 18 winners, young footballers, male and female, between 12-15 years of age and a resident of Bahrain must register themselves at the VIVA Manchester United Zone at Bahrain City Centre from May 9-20, 2012 to secure a spot in the auditions. Registered footballers will receive a registration brochure which will include a form to fill in their basic information, football position and parents’ consent. Updated on their designated audition slot will be sent to the eligible footballers in June 2012 via a text message on their VIVA line.
“I am delighted to be in Bahrain and looking forward to seeing the talent that is developed at the Manchester United Soccer School. I am also happy to be part of a programme that is focused on developing local talents. I believe Bahrain has much to offer and I’m excited to see the young footballers step up to the plate,” Lee Sharpe, added.
Around 120 footballers will be selected by local coaches certified by the Bahrain Football Association in try-outs that will take place at the Bahrain Football Association training pitches before getting a chance to demonstrate their skills in front of Manchester United Soccer School Coaches who will fly into Bahrain especially to evaluate football skills of the talented players on June 8-9, 2012 and select the lucky 18 winners.
The finalists will win a week of expert football training sponsored by VIVA Bahrain from July 8-14, 2012 on the Manchester United Soccer School grounds in Myerscough College, UK, using state-of-the art training equipment, and undergoing the true routine of footballers as well as receive training at Carrington where the first team trains.
In 2011, 33 winners got the Manchester United Soccer School experience in the UK to attend a week-long training and skills workshops led by Manchester United Soccer School coaches. The first batch of VIVA MUSS 2011 programme was invited to share their experience and get an exclusive opportunity to meet Manchester United Legend, Lee Sharpe.