Friday 26 / July / 2024
Muscat: The Muscat Academies Youth League 2023 commenced its exciting journey on Saturday at the Cheltenham Muscat ground. This league promises an action-packed season with games scheduled every Saturday until March 2024.
Featuring a total of 30 teams and approximately 500 players, the league will witness intense competition in five distinct age categories: under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15, and under-17.
Endorsed by the Oman Football Association, this youth league is a collaborative venture involving the Muscat Football Academy (MFA), Premier Sport Tourism Company, Muscat Media Group, and Cheltenham Muscat.
Prominent football academies, including Muscat Football Academy, Viva Academy, Future Academy, Seeb Club, Bausher Academy, Junior Star Academy, and Sporting De Kerala, are actively participating, fielding teams across all age groups.
The championship will recognise exceptional talent through awards honoring the best player, top scorer, and the prestigious player of the season award.
MFA Director Chick Martini expressed his enthusiasm for the youth league, emphasising that matches will take place every Saturday from 8am to 12pm, following the 'Super Saturday' model reminiscent of the English Premier League.
Martini, a former goalkeeper for Leicester City and a former Morocco international footballer, aims to bring excellence to this tournament. He believes that providing consistent and competitive football opportunities for young athletes is crucial and that genuine growth and development occur when players experience the thrill of actual match play.
Martini also highlighted the league's unique contribution to Oman's sports scene, filling a gap by providing a comprehensive league format with regular weekend matches.
The matches at Cheltenham Muscat on Saturdays are expected to create a vibrant atmosphere for spectators, with parents, friends, and football enthusiasts coming together to cheer for their favorite teams, making it a true festival-like tournament.
The league's official mascot, the G.O.A.T, pays tribute to Oman's natural ecology and honours legendary footballers who have served as inspirations for the next generation of aspiring talents.
