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.