Following a successful start to the eighth edition of the internationally-staged FC Bayern Youth Cup, India and Nigeria have already hosted their big national finals. As always, not only the 14- to 16-year-olds participating got to experience the German record champions up close, but fans and fan clubs also had the chance to meet FCB legends Bixente Lizarazu in Delhi and Klaus Augenthaler in Lagos live. A large number of interviews, TV appearances and meet & greets rounded off the two world champions' respective programmes.
FC Bayern Youth Cup 2019 in India
The new edition was launched in India in November, with more than 250 schools and over 2,000 talented youth players taking part in the five qualifying rounds in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta and Srinagar. The two best teams from each round were invited to the national final on 2 and 3 February in Delhi, which took place at Adidas Base. FC Bayern legend and 1998 world champion Bixente Lizarazu attended this tournament, and he showed the young talents some tricks on the ball, gave them valuable tips for future games and provided special experiences. The tournament was supported by our partners adidas and Qatar Airways. In the final, the representatives of the Army Boys School from Bangalore won 2-1 against the players of the DPS East, also from Bangalore. As "Team India" they will represent their country in the big world final of the FC Bayern Youth Cup in Munich in May.
FC Bayern Youth Cup 2019 in Nigeria
On 2 and 3 February, some 8,000 kilometres further to the west, the FC Bayern Youth Cup final matches also took place in Nigeria. The tournament in West Africa originally started with more than 500 participants, and over 100 participants from eight teams gathered in Lagos for the final. The young, talented players displayed a very high level of skill. In addition to Klaus Augenthaler, the games were watched by high-ranking guests such as Nigerian national coach Gernot Rohr, former Bundesliga player Victor Agali and representatives of the German consulate. The young players as well as all other visitors had the opportunity to be photographed with the Meisterschale and our FC Bayern legend. At the end of the day, the 1990 world champion selected the ten best players to represent their country in the final in Germany.
On 21 January, the starting gun also fired in Thailand. In Bangkok, more than 600 participants came together and played in the first qualification round. The national final in Thailand will again be held in the capital on 9 March. Incidentally, last year and the year before last, the team from Thailand won the FC Bayern Youth Cup.
FC Bayern coaches in action in USA and China
Sebastian Dremmler, Head Coach International Youth Programs, travelled to Atlantic City at the beginning of December to conduct a one-week further training course for our US youth football cooperation partner Global Premium Soccer (GPS).
In January, FC Bayern once again sent an international youth coach to the USA for the Junior Showcase in Palm Desert, California. A total of 82 GPS teams from eight US states took part in the tournament for players born between 2005 and 2010. The winners of the tournament can look forward to visiting the FC Bayern Campus in Munich.
In China, a total of six Bayern coaches were deployed as part of the cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE). From 17 January to 3 February, they were busy in the Chinese metropolis of Meizhou, training young people and selecting the best players. The players were divided into the following classes: Primary (1st - 6th grade), Middle School (7th - 9th grade) and Senior (10th - 12th grade).
Regional partner Häfele organises event in Delhi
On February 2, a special football "Master Class" and a big Watch Party were held in Delhi together with our regional partner Häfele. The Master Class was led by Bayern legend Lizarazu. He trained a girls' team from Manipur and passed on his valuable experience to the talented players. In the evening Häfele invited fans and guests to attend a Watch Party at their exclusive design centre in Delhi for the game between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich. The French world champion was also there to share the excitement with the fans and of course to pose for lots of souvenir photos.
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