XXVI CAF Friendship Cup ends with record participation

(Lima, February 2, 2009).- The XXVI CAF Friendship Cup ended In the midst of football, goals and great delight. The event was held from January 26 to February 1 in various venues in the Peruvian capital, under the organization of the Cantolao sports academy, and with the support of the Andean Development Corporation for the second year running.

This year a record participation was achieved with a total of 4,000 children from 220 children's and juvenile football teams from Lima, the provinces and other countries.

During the closing ceremony - held in Villa Deportiva Nacional (Videna) - CAF director in Peru Eleonora Silva Pardo presented the medals and cups to the winning teams in the 2000 and 1993 categories.

In the 2000 category, the Ecuadorian American College was champion with a score of 5-1 beating Cantolao (SJM). Third place went to the Municipal (Mirones) team which defeated Sports University by 4-3 in penalties, after a 1-1 draw.

In the 93 category, Cantolao “A” won the title beating AELU by 1-0 while in third place Deportivo Cuenca defeated the Metropolitan School (Ecuador) 4-3 in penalties after a goalless draw.

The following teams participated in this year’s XXVI CAF Friendship Cup: Cruz Azul, Mexico; Entre Ríos Sports and Cultural Association, Paraná, Argentina; Corinthians, Brazil; Barrabases, University of Chile Sports Club; University of Arica; and Andean School of Chile.

The list of clubs also included American College, Deportivo Cuenca, River Plate, and Metropolitan School, Ecuador; Monaguillos, Paz and Futuro Sports Club, Colombia; Escuela Menor de Fútbol, Selección de Aragua, and Puerto Ordaz School, Venezuela; Novato Soccer, United States. For Peru, the teams were Sports University, AELU, San Agustín College, Cienciano del Cusco, Melgar and Esther Grande de Bentín of Arequipa, among others.

The teams were divided into nine categories for boys (1992 to 2000), and a single category for girls (1992). The teams competed in the following venues: VIDENA, Claretiano College, San Agustín College, Melitón Carvajal College, Miguel Grau Stadium, Yawar Huaca Complex, and Club Cultural Lima de Chorrillos.

The CAF director in Peru said that the cooperation funds which the multilateral development bank provides for holding the tournament is part of the larger "Let’s save the Dolphins" initiative which the Corporation has executed since late 2007 to help young people and children from socially underprivileged sectors in El Callao in risk situations.

The support included psychological, educational and nutritional care for 50 children from low-income sectors in El Callao, along with activities directly related to football as a tool for rescuing children and young people with problems.

The "Let’s Save the Dolphins" project is part of the sports training which CAF promotes by supporting organizations like the Cantolao Academy in Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Ecuador.

The president of Cantolao Academy, Dante Mandriotti, said the event was one of the most important youth football tournaments in Latin America because it had FIFA approval and the support of UNICEF. In the 25 past events, football teams with players aged nine to 16 have participated from all corners of Bolivia and around the world.

In last year’s Cup, over 1,000 players took part from football clubs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, among others.

In previous years, recognized international footballers have participated in this prestigious championship, including the Argentines Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and Javier Zanetti (Inter de Milan), the Uruguayan Alvaro Recoba (Panionios NFC of Greece), and the Peruvian Claudio Pizarro (Werdeer Bremen of Germany), among other figures from international football.