National U-15 MUPC Finals in Pune

The national finals of the Under-15 Manchester United Premier Cup, an initiative from Nike and the AIFF, is set to kick-off today in Pune. The MUPC is an initiative to unearth football talent at the grass root level. In its sixth edition in India last years MUPC global saw over 9000 teams from all over the world taking part from 43 countries.

This year Under-15 teams from across India are taking part with 18 teams making it to the finals. The tournament has seen a distinct evolution in competition since last year. The finals will be held from today until May 24 at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Education Complex, Satara Road, Dhankawadi in Pune and the winner of the MUPC India leg will earn a spot in the regional Southeast Asia Finals to be held in Si Racha, Thailand from June 7 to 9 where the Indian champions would face their counterparts from Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Unlike in previous years the Indian champions are not getting an automatic place in the world finals.

Being held at an Under-15 level, the tournament enables youngsters to consider football as an option. The popularity of the sport on the world stage was never in question but the tournament provides an opportunity for football to grow out of its nascent stage in countries like India. The tournament has provided football obsessed teens in India an opportunity to compete on an international stage, bridging language and cultural barriers through sport.

"Nike- MUPC is an effort to provide young footballers an opportunity to compete and show case their talent. Considering the success of the Nike-MUPC over the years, we look to building on the strengths of this tournament each year in order to amplify India's budding football talent. The AIFF has been one of our greatest supporters and we continue to foster this relationship and grow from strength to strength," says Sanjay Gangopadhyay, Marketing Director of Nike India.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said, "Football in India is gaining huge popularity amongst the youngsters today. It is the tournaments like this that pave the way for the sport creating a fan base. This annual event is also an excellent opportunity for India to prove itself as a pool of talent for football."

At the launch India captain Baichung Bhutia shared his experience with the teams and said, "Nike- MUPC tournament is going to be a competitive one and where the youngsters can learn a lot. I hope this continues and that footballers in India keep getting opportunities to make it big."


History of MUPC

The Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) is jointly sponsored by Nike and Manchester United as part of their commitment to grassroots development. This European regional tournament originally involving 624 clubs, has gathered global momentum over the past few years having attracted a cumulative participation of over one million players with over 9,000 teams from more than 43 countries such as England, France, Brazil, Germany and many more. In 2003, NIKE joined forces with Manchester United to further expand horizons and underline their commitment to the biggest and best under-15 football tournament in the world.

MUPC graduates currently playing at the highest level for club and country include: Robinho (AC Milan); Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona); Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona); Xavi (FC Barcelona); Carlos Tevez (Manchester City FC); Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) and Fernando Torres (Chelsea FC).

Each year increasing number of young players across the globe share their hopes and their dreams as they are mobilized and inspired to play at the highest level, testing their skills against the very best of their peers. Together they reach for the stars as they strive to become the Manchester United Premier Cup world Champions. The future of football is in their hands.