Client News
Ajax to make Soccer Sevens debut
Hong Kong, 13 April 2010 - Dutch giants Ajax will make their debut in the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens next month, it was announced today.
English club Sunderland will also make their first appearance in the tournament and will be joined by Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Ham United.
Last year’s Soccer Sevens winners Glasgow Celtic are returning to defend their title while the team they beat in the final, arch rivals Rangers, will also be back.
Former Manchester United and England striker Andy Cole will lead his own team in the Masters competition while other ex-Premier League players will feature for the IP Global All Stars, Southampton Veterans and Nottingham Forest All Stars.
Cole was guest of honour at Hong Kong Football Club today as the draw for the 2010 tournament took place.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” he said. “Hong Kong is a lovely place and I’m looking forward to coming back out here next month to play some football and to enjoy myself. I’m in the gym four times a week, so I keep myself in shape. I’ve got a charity game for United on 1 May so I’ll be using that to get myself ready for the Soccer Sevens.”
Ajax rank as one of the world’s greatest clubs, with four European Cup triumphs and countless domestic titles to their name, and tournament organisers were delighted to announce their participation.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the Ajax youth academy has produced more truly great players than any other club in world football, including the legendary Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert, to name just a few,” said Soccer Sevens chairman Tony Bratsanos. “We are extremely excited to be seeing the next generation of Ajax stars in action here in Hong Kong.
“Andy Cole, meanwhile, has been one of the modern era’s great strikers. He won the Champions League, five Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United, was capped 15 times for England, and ranks second in the all-time list of top Premiership scorers with 187 goals – all adding up to a truly fantastic career. I’m sure Hong Kong fans are looking forward to seeing him in action.”
The 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will be held from 14-16 May at Hong Kong Football Club with a total of 32 teams taking part, 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.
Since it was first staged in 1999, the tournament – sanctioned by the Hong Kong Football Association – has developed into the world’s premier seven-a-side soccer event. The Main competition has become famous for unearthing the “stars of tomorrow” while the Masters section features former elite players from Europe’s top leagues.
Today’s draw saw Ajax grouped in Pool A of the Main competition with Hong Kong club Tai Po, English amateurs Sheffield FC – the oldest club in the world – and Singapore Cricket Club.
Champions Celtic are the top seeds in Pool D, which is rounded out by Birmingham City, Hong Kong side Happy Valley and the hosts, Hong Kong Football Club.
Tickets for the 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will go on sale from Thursday, 15 April.
A weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) will cost HK$200 per adult while a day pass (Saturday or Sunday) will be HK$120 per adult. Admission on the Friday evening is free for all spectators while children under the age of 16 are admitted free throughout the tournament.
Before the big kickoff, fans will have a chance to see two more famous names at the eve-of-tournament Sportsman’s Dinner at HKFC on Thursday, 13 May. Iconic football commentator John Motson will be the guest speaker while current Premier League referee Martin Atkinson will also be giving his views on the game.
Details of how to purchase tickets for the Soccer Sevens and Sportsman’s Dinner, plus a wealth of other information about the tournament, can be found at the official website, www.hksoccersevens.com.
About IP Global
IP Global (formerly Intellectual Property) sources property investments in emerging and recovering markets. The company has a unique approach; assisting clients in constructing a property investment portfolio tailored to their specific investment strategy and budget. IP Global focuses not only on where to invest but also removes the difficulties that independent investors face when buying property.
IP Global educates investors with the market knowledge required for potential and future investments. The extensive due diligence service provided gives clients the assurance to invest in remote markets which otherwise would not be accessible.
IP Global was launched in Hong Kong in September 2005 and now has offices in Singapore and Dubai to support a rapidly expanding client base and global ambitions. Since inception, IP Global has transacted a total of over US$700 million in property on behalf of its clients.
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Released on behalf of the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front - Asia’s Sports PR specialists.