International youth football teams play in Lion City Cup

From left: Andrew Koh, R. Sasikumar, Zainudin Nordin, and Sandie Lee at the Lion City Cup press conference. Back after a two year hiatus, this year's tournament will feature youth teams from world-renowned clubs such as Everton, Juventus and Benfica, as well as Singapore's Youth Olympic Games football team. -- ST PHOTO: TED CHEN

THEY were the toast of Singapore after winning a bronze medal at August's Youth Olympic Games. Come June, the likes of captain Jeffrey Lightfoot and twinkle-toed midfielder Hanafi Akbar will be playing against the equivalent of footballing royalty.
Youth teams from four illustrious clubs - England's Everton, Italy's Juventus, Portugal's Benfica and Flamengo of Brazil - will be participating in the newly-revamped Lion City Cup from June 18 to 27.

R. Sasikumar (left) and FAS President Zainudin Nordin at the Lion City Cup press conference. Back after a two year hiatus, this year's tournament will feature youth teams from world-renowned clubs such as Everton, Juventus and Porto, as well as Singapore's Youth Olympic Games football team. -- ST PHOTO: TED CHEN Co-organised by sports marketing agency The Red Card and the Football Association of Singapore, the six-team Under-16 tournament also includes the National Football Academy's Under-15 team.
Canon Singapore has also signed on as the Cup's title sponsor in a two-year deal worth almost $1 million, while all 10 games will be broadcast live on StarHub channel 201 (SuperSports Arena) from the Jalan Besar Stadium.

President of FAS Zainudin Nordin at the Lion City Cup press conference. Back after a two year hiatus, this year's tournament will feature youth teams from world-renowned clubs such as Everton, Juventus and Porto, as well as Singapore's Youth Olympic Games football team. -- ST PHOTO: TED CHEN

R. Sasikumar at the Lion City Cup press conference. Back after a two year hiatus, this year's tournament will feature youth teams from world-renowned clubs such as Everton, Juventus and Porto, as well as Singapore's Youth Olympic Games football team. -- ST PHOTO: TED CHEN Believed to be the world's oldest youth football tournament, the inaugural edition kicked off in 1977 and has been responsible for unearthing household names such as Fandi Ahmad, V. Sundramoorthy and current Under-23 team captain Hariss Harun over the years.
And the excitement does not end there. Talks are also in place to bring renowned Brazilian star Ronaldinho (currently the captain of Flamengo's senior team) to the Republic during the tournament.