The search for Jamaica best 5-a-side team begins
Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five, the biggest five-a-side tournament in the world begins the search for Jamaica’s best amateur football team with the first qualifier taking place today in Kingston at UWI Mona Bowl.
The event, launched in Kingston on April 9, will see hundreds of local aspiring football talents lining up for a chance to travel to Brazil to compete against over 100,000 players from 42 countries around the world. The team who outplays them all will get to play with Neymar Jr and his friends.
To raise the bar in this unique experience, telecommunications giant FLOW partnered with Red Bull to offer six lucky players the opportunity of a lifetime. An MVP will be selected from each of the qualifiers and given the chance to play in a tryout match for National Premier League super team Portmore United to pursue their dreams as professional players.
“It’s the best of both worlds, and we are very excited to once again be travelling across the country on a mission of unearthing and exposing the best talents out there, fully aligned with the vision engendered through this project by its founder, Neymar Jr,” said Stephen Miller, FLOW’ Sponsorship & Events manager.
The qualifier is the first of six being held across the island beginning today at 9:00 am in Kingston at UWI Mona Bowl. It will be followed by qualifiers in St Elizabeth on May 11, Falmouth on May 18, St Ann on May 19, Clarendon on May 25 and St Thomas on June 1. The Jamaican National Finals will be held on June 8 in Kingston, while the World Final will be hosted at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr in Praia Grande, Brazil.
Thirty-two teams of five players between the ages of 16 and 25 will face off in a series of match-ups. The fast-paced 10-minute format will be governed by a unique set of rules as created by football world star Neymar Jr.
“We have some great teams assembled for the first qualifiers, so I believe that Kingston will have some exciting matches as some of these guys battle it out. This format is new for them, so it will come down to a lot of skill and a little bit of luck,” said Donald Leyow, sports director.
The games are open to spectators who will be entertained by guest DJs and special guest artistes including Lalee, and many others. Each qualifier is free to the public.
