Cook Islands ready to host regional football tournament

Cook Islands is all set to host the 2016 OFC Under-17 Women’s Championship which kicks off at the Cook Islands Football Associations (CIFA) complex next week.

The tournament, which starts on Wednesday, will for the first time feature eight regional teams from Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Tournament director and CIFA competitions manager Pauline Dean said preparation was well underway for the regional meet, which will end on January 23.

She said they were working around the clock to ensure a memorable tournament for the budding footballers from around the region.

Dean and her team have wrapped up most of the preparations, with some logistics remaining which they are confident will be finalised before the start of the tournament.

“Preparations have been going really well in respect to getting the training and match venues ready for teams and other important logistics such as transport, water, ball kids, etc, necessary to our tournament,” Dean said.

“All games will be played at the CIFA complex in Matavera with the first game kicking off at 2.30pm and last match at 5pm. 

“However, on Monday, January 18, the last games of the round will be played at two different venues, CIFA and Takitumu School grounds.”

Teams start arriving this weekend for the tournament, which will serve as the qualifier for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup to be held in Jordan later in the year.

Powerhouse New Zealand will enter as the top favourites but the side is expected to face a tough tussle against some of the Pacific’s finest in this tournament.

Cook Islands, under the guidance of former national rep Tuka Tisam, is also working hard on tying up loose ends to ensure they put on a competitive performance against the giants.

“Teams will start arriving on Sunday, January 10 and the last two countries will arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday next week,” Dean said.

“All teams will be hosted to a welcome luncheon at The Islander Hotel on Monday, January 11.”

Meanwhile, CIFA is looking forward to hosting a successful 2016 OFC Under-17 Women’s Championship

President Lee Harmon said they were excited to host one of the region’s most coveted tournaments in the Cook Islands.

“The Cook Islands Football Association is excited that the regions’ best up-and-coming female talents are converging on our shores,” Harmon said.

“I am certain we are set for an entertaining week of football action, said Dean

     

Author: 
PACNEWS