Copa Coca-Cola, the world’s largest brand-supported grassroots football initiative, will this week host over 100 teens from 27 countries for a six-day International Camp to forge friendships and gain valuable skills both on and off the pitch. Taking place from 26th July – 31st July, the Camp will be held in Berlin, Germany as the pinnacle of a season, which has seen more than 1.3 million teens compete in over 60 countries.
Now in its 27th year, Copa Coca-Cola unites football-loving teens in every continent around the world, promoting an active lifestyle and encouraging values that are the foundation of life and sportsmanship. 104 skilled teenagers aged 13-16 from 27 countries(Algeria, Argentina, Burkina Faso, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestine, Panama, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) have been invited to attend this year’s Copa Coca-Cola International Camp, having competed through a series of regional rounds to participate in a national championship, before being selected for the global finale. The six-day trip to Berlin will be packed with training sessions, workshops, games, events and coaching and guidance from members of Germany’s 2014 FIFA World Cup™ winning football team.
The International Camp gives young players the opportunity to pursue their football dreams, make new friends from different countries and together recognize the importance of playing different roles within a team. Highlights of the Copa Coca-Cola event will include an Opening Ceremony, training sessions with Hansi Flick – assistant coach of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™winning German national team – and daily challenges in the grounds of the prestigious Lindow Sports Academy. Footballing teens will have the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from other inspiring coaches and players including 2014 FIFA World Cup™ winner Benedikt Höwedes and 1990 FIFA World Cup™ winner Pierre Littbarski.
Ahead of the tournament, a Coca-Cola commissioned study was undertaken by Nielson Research** to understand the role that football plays in young people’s lives. The opinions of over 11,000 male and female teenagers across 16 countries were polled revealing that football supports the learning of important life skills such as teamwork, confidence and sociability. Eight out of ten (79%) young people said playing football helps them to develop essential skills in teamwork that can be applied in other areas such as school or work and over 42% say that playing football has helped boost their confidence. Furthermore, six out of ten (60%) young players consider the discipline learnt on the pitch helps them achieve more in their lives.
Taking into account the research findings, this year’s Copa Coca-ColaInternational Camp will be themed around ‘Which Part Will You Play?’recognizing that every footballer plays an important part in their team and this goes beyond football skills; it’s about character and the positive traits players bring, both on and off the field.
Copa Coca-Cola is committed in its goal to create inclusive physical activity programs throughout the world which will inspire more young players to be active and healthy through their shared passion for football. As part of this commitment, Copa Coca-Cola will find one local football pitch, in one of the countries attending the Camp, and renovate it for future teens to enjoy. Teens attending the tournament will submit pictures and videos of a local pitch they would like to see renovated, with the winning entry announced at a special Legacy Pitch ceremony that will be held at the Berlin Olympic Stadium during the Camp.
The final day of camp will culminate with tournament finals, a farewell dinner and the announcement of the 2016 Copa Coca-Cola ambassadors, who will continue the Copa Coca-Cola legacy in future years.
Mr. Ahmed Rady, The Marketing Director – Coca-Cola Central, East & West Africa said: “We are delighted to welcome over 100 teens from around the world to Berlin to celebrate their love for football. With an action-packed schedule, the teens attending will have the opportunity to gain skills, enjoy new experiences with new friends from across the world and even meet FIFA World Cup™ champions in an inspiring atmosphere. We hope the Copa Coca‑Cola International Camp will provide memories for a lifetime and inspire teens to further pursue their football passion for years to come.”