Ray Hoyt, senior vice president of VisitTulsa and executive director of Tulsa Sports Commission, was joined by Eddie Marles, AC Milan Youth Program coordinator for North and Latin America, at a press conference today to announce the creation of an international youth soccer tournament in Tulsa.
The Tulsa Sports Commission is creating and hosting the tournament in partnership with A.C. Milan, an international soccer club. The tournament is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28, 2012, and will feature three Milan Junior League Elite teams comprised of youth ages 11-14.
“We have been working with Eddie and the A.C. Milan organization for several months to put this together and are thrilled to be able to make the announcement today,” said Hoyt. “This is a great opportunity for Tulsa to not only host a major international youth event, but to be able to partner with the world’s leading soccer club. This opens Tulsa up to an entirely new audience and once again puts us on an international stage attracting visitors who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to see our great city.”
A.C. Milan was founded in 1899 and over its 112-year history has become the world’s most successful soccer club with a record number of national and international competition trophies including the Serie A Scudetto Cup recently won after defeating Inter of Milan and crowned Italian champion. The Scudetto Cup was on display during the press conference.
"We are excited to come to Tulsa and work with the Tulsa Sports Commission,” said Marles. “We know this will be a successful event because we’re partnering with an organization that sees the value and we are creating a good synergy.”
The tournament is expected to draw 60-80 national and international youth teams with 1,800 – 2,100 people. Competition will take place over four days and is estimated to have a $2.8 million economic impact. Organizers are still determining the name, location and sponsorship opportunities. Details will be released as they become available.
Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year for Tulsa Sports Commission hosted events. Interested individuals can sign up on the Tulsa Sports Commission website at www.tulsasports.org. The Tulsa Sports Commission is part of VisitTulsa, the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s convention and visitors program, and exists to create and attract major sporting events to the Tulsa region creating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life.
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