MANAMA: The highly successful community-development initiative from VIVA Bahrain Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) has set a stage for producing Manchester United level players from Bahrain, according to a soccer legend.
“I’ve been amazed by the passion of the United fans here in Manama and the welcome I’ve received has been fantastic. The VIVA Manchester United Soccer Schools initiative is a brilliant opportunity to get kids from all communities playing football and gives us a chance to perhaps unearth the game’s next big star,” unveiling the VIVA MUSS programme, the Manchester United ambassador, Peter Schmeichel said.
Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, VIVA CEO and Peter Schmeichel addressed a Press conference at Kempinski Hotel in Manama on Wednesday highlighting the importance of the VIVA Jasoor Initiative, a flagship CSR programme of the telecom operator.
The programme which was launched by the club’s ambassador and legendary goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel said that good soccer players can’t be made on short term basis but initiatives such as VIVA definitely go beyond generating players for Bahrain national soccer team.
The annual football scouting program organized by VIVA in association with Manchester United, now in its fourth season, will involve participation from various sports clubs in Bahrain nominating their best teams to come forward and compete in a nation-wide tournament that will see 22 talented boys and girls being selected for week-long training in the UK.
This year, the VIVA MUSS programme is being supported by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) to reach out to football aspirants from sports clubs, with boys and girls aged 13-15 showing off their foot-balling prowess through an inter-club tournament from April 25th-26th, 2014. Renowned coaches from Manchester United Soccer Schools will be flown in from the UK to evaluate the football skills and pick the top 22 contenders to train at Manchester United’s Carrington grounds where the first team trains.
“The VIVA MUSS program is one of several grassroots initiatives we have been involved with to raise the standard of football across Bahrain. Over the past three years, the program has evolved into a great community development initiative and has experienced impressive growth in terms of participation and interest from local youngsters was 73 boys and girls from various cultural backgrounds have benefited from this programme,” kicking-off the program’s fourth season, Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, VIVA CEO, said.
“This year, we have collaborated with the BFA to reach out to sports clubs with the aim of supporting local talent and help young players prepare for Bahrain’s national team of the future. We hope this collaboration will enable us to contribute to Bahrain’s footballing future,” he added.
“We are proud to welcome and host Manchester United’s ambassador, Peter Schmeichel also renowned for his almost unbeatable reputation as the “World’s Best Goalkeeper” in 1992 and 1993. He is truly an inspirational figure for all football aspirants and remains a familiar face in Manchester.”
“We are delighted to partner with VIVA to launch this program in its fourth season in Bahrain. After 3 years of targeting schools and individuals, we believe that through the participation of the clubs under the umbrella of the BFA we will achieve great success”, General Secretary of the Bahrain Football Association, Hassan Ismail Mohammed said.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, and his Excellency the BFA President, we would like to express our appreciation to VIVA and those in charge of this activity for all their efforts that will help enormously in elevating the future of Bahraini football and we hope we can continue to work together towards achieving that goal.”
The unique format of the VIVA MUSS program ensures that every player during the tournament gets an equal opportunity to showcase his/her skills and is evaluated on all parameters (including physical and technical attributes and individual skills). The tournament will also include awards for Best Player, Best Striker, Best Goalkeeper, top 3 winning clubs, in addition to 22 players who will go on to win a trip to Manchester, courtesy of VIVA Bahrain.
The 22 finalists will win a week of expert football training sponsored by VIVA Bahrain, running from June 15th to 21st at the Manchester United Soccer Schools grounds in UK, using state-of-the art training equipment, and undergoing the same routine of the professional footballers as well as receive training at Carrington where the first team trains.