In conjunction with its global partnership to FIFA and as one of the main sponsors of the 2016 UEFA EURO 2016™ in France, KIA Motors South Africa has successfully launched of the fifth instalment of its exciting annual KIA Champ into the Arena amateur football tournament.
Every four years, KIA distributors from all over the world host this exciting soccer tournament in their respective markets in search of the best amateur football team. The winning team from each country then moves on to the Champ into the Arena World Finals, where they get the opportunity to compete against the winning sides from other participating countries for the ultimate glory of being crowned global champions. With France as this year’s host country, one can expect to see participating nations such as Colombia, Chile, Peru, Jordan, North Iran, Brazil and Argentina competing.
The night time regional tournaments will consist of two tournaments per region with 16 teams competing per day for a place in the national final. Key tournament dates are 29 & 30 April at Discovery Soccer Park (Wanderers Club, Illovo) in Johannesburg, 13 & 14 May at Montague Action Indoor Arena (Montague Gardens) in Cape Town and 20 & 21 May at Stella Action Soccer Arena (Glenwood) in Durban. The national finals will be held at Discovery Soccer Park on 28 May. The tournament is for all players over the age of 18 with each team limited to entering six players (five players and one reserve).
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“This tournament is certainly a highlight for us and moving the action into the evening will no doubt be more inviting for friends and families to join us and spur on the soccer spectacular,” says David Sieff, Marketing Director for KIA Motors South Africa. “The competitiveness, energy and high scoring games result in great crowds, significant entries and, most of all, fun for all those who come to enjoy the beautiful game. The standard of soccer is most impressive as not only does the winning team go on to represent KIA Motors South Africa, and indeed their country, during the finals in France, but they also benefit from a once in a lifetime hospitality experience, including the thrill of attending a match at EUFA EURO 2016™.”
Campaign ambassadors Moeneeb Josephs and Oupa Manyisa were present at the launch on 20 April 2016 at Discovery Soccer Park, along with coach of the winning KIA Champ into the Arena 2016 national team, Gavin Hunt. Hunt will fine tune the national winners in the weeks leading up to the global finals, ensuring that the team steps up their training, technical skills and execution.
“With a total of 180 action-packed matches to be played, we’re bound to see only the best of the best reach the national finals come 28 May,” says three-time PSL Championship winning coach, Gavin Hunt. “I am delighted to be the coach of the winning team as we prepare for the global finals in France – we certainly will take our duties most seriously as there’s no doubt that we can be very competitive.”
Adding additional spice to the events will be live local DJ’s from Soul Candi, including hugely popular house DJ Ricardo da Costa, at both the launch as well as the national final. Fans are also encouraged to visit KIA Motors Fourways on the morning of 23 April and partake in several fun football competitions. The winner will take home a once in a lifetime VIP local soccer experience.
Entries will close one week before each of the regional tournaments, with teams being notified of their places the Monday before the tournament. Teams that enter will go through a selection process to ensure that only the best teams in the country are on display for their chance to represent KIA South Africa in France. The tournament is expected to be oversubscribed so teams are encouraged to enter early should they fancy their chances.
The entry form is available online by clicking on the KIA Champ into the Arena banner on the KIA website (www.kia.co.za) or by visiting www.kiachamp.co.za. You can also follow the action online:
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