Nike kicks off Manchester United Premier Cup India leg

Nike today announced the start of this year’s edition of its grassroots football initiative - the Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) in India. In its 20th year globally and eighth year in India, Nike’s MUPC is all set to see some of the country’s best teams vie for a position to represent the country in the regional finals in Malaysia this June.

Nike’s annual MUPC tournament that is held under the aegis of the All India Football Federation will witness 20 best I-league and state teams from across India compete to be crowned MUPC India Champions in Goa on May 09th 2013.

This year the U-15 tournament will be held in two stages, the teams from the North and East regions of India will battle it out in Jamshedpur while the teams from the West and South zones will compete in Goa. The first phase of the tournament will kick off on April 29th at Jamshedpur and the second phase on May 4th in Goa.

Over the years, Nike’s MUPC tournament has become a strong platform in India to unearth football talent at the grass root level and to enable young footballers to get an opportunity to represent India at a global stage.

Speaking on the occasion, Avinash Pant, Marketing Director, Nike India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Nike’s MUPC is an effort to provide young footballers in India the opportunity to compete against the best teams in the country and later at a global stage. MUPC is today one of the most anticipated U15 tournament in the country; we thank AIFF for helping us elevate MUPC India to this level. This year being the twentieth edition of MUPC globally, we promise to make this memorable for the teams participating.”

Over the years, MUPC has provided young footballers in India with an opportunity to compete on an international stage, bridging language and cultural barriers through the sport. Proving its success in India, the players that have participated in the previous editions of MUPC India are now representing India at various levels.

Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF said at the launch, “In India, we need to build the sport at a grassroot level and initiatives like Nike’s MUPC is a fantastic platform for young footballers to excel and represent India in a global arena. Football in India is definitely garnering a lot of interest off late and tournament like these will help build the sport from a young age itself. Nike’s MUPC is one of the finest U15 tournaments in the country and we are thrilled to be associated with Nike”.

In the twentieth global edition of MUPC, the India edition of the tournament promises an extraordinary level of competition, training and opportunities for young footballers to elevate their game. Nike’s Manchester United Premier Cup India leg will provide a rare opportunity for young footballers to play alongside two of the biggest Indian football athletes in an exhibition game in Goa on May 9, 2013.