Member Article

City Thai-up international partnership with KFC to grow youth tournament

Manchester City FC has announced plans to team up with KFC to help grow Thailand’s biggest 7-a-side youth football tournament.

Now in its sixth consecutive year, the KFC Seven Shoot 2014 aims to encourage children to play football and will see over 3,000 Thai youth teams - comprising 50,000 youngsters aged from 12-15 - compete to be crowned nationwide champions.

As part of the two year deal, tournament marketing collateral including pictures of Manchester City stars such as Vincent Kompany and David Silva will appear in over 500 KFC restaurants and on billboards throughout Thailand.

Winners of the tournament will not only receive the KFC Seven Shoot 2014 Grand Trophy and a grant, but will also be flown to Manchester for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in a series of skills workshops, led by City’s expert School of Football coaches.

The lucky winners will also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Etihad Stadium and watch City stars including Joe Hart, Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo in action.

Tom Glick, Chief Commercial and Operating Officer, said: “As a Club that is passionate about inspiring children to play football, we’re delighted to support KFC Seven Shoot. The tournament provides youngsters from schools and communities throughout Thailand with an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate their footballing abilities and fulfill their true sporting potential.

“We enjoy incredible support in Thailand, having recently launched our Thai website and Twitter account, so it’s a privilege to be able to welcome the winners to Manchester and help them develop their skills.”

Waewkanee Assoratgoon, KFC Country General Manager of Yum! Restaurants International (Thailand) Co., Ltd, added: “KFC Seven Shoot is one of the integral parts of KFC Thailand’s sustainable community programs. Corporate social responsibility is the core of the company’s business conduct.

“The main objective of this program is to encourage students to play sports as it is one of the best ways to spend their free time wisely, as well as keeping themselves healthy, both physically and mentally.

Chainarong Lerlertvanich, General Manager for KFC of Central Restaurants Group, added: “The KFC Seven Shoot project is originated from the idea that football can help promote exercise and suitable intake of food. It’s ideal for kids who are passionate about football wanting to show what they’ve got and at the same time developing their skills for a better and bigger goal in the future.

“Determined in bringing the Thai youth’s dream come true, KFC Thailand is committed to hosting KFC Seven Shoot as a means for the kids to achieve their dreams.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .