Doha: Some of the world’s choice young footballers have arrived in Qatar this week for the launch of the fifth annual Al Kass International Cup set to kick off tomorrow.

At the Al Kass International Cup 2016 12 elite academy teams including Real Madrid Paris Saint-Germain Inter Milan and SL Benfica will compete in the U17 tournament at the Aspire Academy outdoor football fields.

The impressive line-up of players means football fans in Doha will get the chance to watch some of the world’s finest young talents in action during the 11-day competition that will also feature Qatari teenagers.

The acclaimed Aspire Qatar team including Aspire Football Dreams will compete against clubs from Spain Italy France Japan China Argentina the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

Mohammad Khalifa Al-Suwaidi Acting CEO of Aspire Zone expressed his confidence in the opportunity the tournament facilitates for Qatari players to enhance their skills and gain international experience.

“It is a great honour and privilege to be welcoming some of the world’s very best young footballing prospects to Doha for the fifth edition of the Al Kass International Cup following on from the distinguished performance of our national players some of whom from Aspire Academy in the Asian Football Federation U23 Championship” he said.

“Previous Al Kass tournaments have contributed greatly to the development of the skills of the budding players at Aspire Academy due to contact with their peers from some of the sport’s top academies.” Participating teams have and will continue to arrive in Doha over the coming days as local fans look forward to group stage games between some of the world’s leading football clubs.

On the first day of the competition Inter Milan will face Chinese team Shanghai Greenland while SL Benfica and FC Redbull Salzburg will play against Aspire Football Dreams and Celtic Glasgow respectively.

Official tournament sponsor Al Kass TV will be broadcasting all games live both online and on TV with Arabic and English commentary on http://internationalcup.alkass.net.

Looking forward to another exciting tournament Essa Abdulla Al-Hitmi Chairman of the Organising Committee of Al Kass International Cup said: “Kicking off its fifth year in 2016 the Al Kass International Cup has cemented its place as one of the premier youth football tournaments globally. This year we will continue to build on this reputation with world-class broadcasting of the outstanding displays of football that we have come to expect from the Al Kass International Cup.

“Following on from the huge success of last year’s competition Al Kass look forward to showcasing all the live action in 2016 to football fans all over the world” he added.

Hassan Al Thawadi Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said: “Since its launch in 2012 the Al Kass International Cup has been determined to develop a long-lasting legacy that will be passed on to future generations. That legacy is designed to continue the success this tournament has enjoyed in discovering the stars of the future both from Qatar and from abroad.”

“The success of this tournament demonstrates the commitment Qatar has to grassroots football and to keep showing this country has the passion knowledge and determination to utilize the power of football” he added.

The Peninsula