Junior soccer draw announced

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Soccer Association drew the ties yesterday for the under 14 Nike International Premier Cup Asia Pacific at the Kartika Chandra Hotel yesterday.

South Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and host Indonesia will compete in the championship at the Sumantri Brodjonegoro stadium in South Jakarta from June 2 to June 7.

The drawing was witnessed by the Senior Vice President of Asian Football Confederation, Nabon Noor, and worked out which teams will play in the preliminary rounds.

Nike's Asia Pacific sports marketing director, Thomas Fox, said "through this championship, we expect to increase children's soccer ability, thus creating the potential for skilled players in the future".

"Besides that, our mission is to develop Asian countries as the future power house of soccer," he said.

Nike has also invited an international coach from Philips Sport Vereniging Netherlands to run a coaching clinic and skills competition. (yan)