FOOTBALLERS from six countries will head to Yangon’s Thuwunna
Stadium for the Grand Royal Challenge Cup’08, sponsored
by Grand Royal Whisky and organised by Myanmar Football Federation
(MFF), later this month.
Between November 11 and 21, teams from six countries –
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam, as well
as Myanmar – will compete in Yangon as part of the run-up
to other regional contests.
All are national teams except for Vietnam, which is fielding
its under-23 Olympic team and Korea, represented by the Hyundai
club side.
This is the third tournament of its kind, following similar
meets in 2005 and 2006. “Instead of winning or losing, we
see this tournament as preparation for the upcoming regional football
tournaments – the ASEAN Football Federation Championship
and the Suzuki Cup,” said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of Myanmar
Football Federation at a press conference last week.
The FIFA-approved referees will come from Brunei, Myanmar, Singapore,
Sri Lanka and Thailand.
“We prepared this tournament to meet international standards
by all sides. So I am very pleased that my country is hosting
this tournament,” said U Zaw Zaw.
A first prize of U$15,000 goes to the winning team, with $7500
to the runner up. The best player will be awarded $1000, and $200
to each man of the match.