Planet Football was the location for the Perfume House Football Tournament, which took place on Sunday 29th September. Twenty-eight teams competed in three age groups, under 9, 11 and 13, and teams arrived from Bangkok and Chonburi to join many from the local Pattaya area.
This annual competition, now in its third year, is organised by Jeremy Akoum of The Perfume House, a nationwide chain of shops selling perfume and scents, with the aim of providing youngsters with the opportunity to take part in a prestigious tournament, improve their playing and team building skills, win a trophy, medals and there were cash prizes for the winning teams.
Nongpure municipal president Mai Chaiyanit (center-right) presents the champions trophy to the Chonburi FC under-13 team.
The remaining proceeds will be donated to the Father Ray Foundation, who entered two teams, one from the Father Ray Children’s Home and the second from the Children’s Village.
Every player was presented with a football shirt, sponsored by SOHO Townhouse and the Pattaya Sports Club, and a Bangkok Glass FC shirt, signed by well known Thai premier league player Teeratep, was auctioned off to the highest bidder, and it was local businessman Martin Kinsella who took the shirt home.
The under-9 team from Darasamuth School show off their winners’ trophy, medals and cash prize.
While the local teams played well, and several players showed skills that may see them playing in the Thai Premier League in years to come, it was the teams from Chonburi FC who dominated, and won, the under 11 and under 13 competitions, while the youngsters from Darasamuth School carried the winners trophy home after winning the under 9 competition.
Chonburi were too strong for the Pattaya 1 team in the under 13 final, beating them 6 goals to nil, and the under 11 team completed the double success for Chonburi by beating local team FC Planet in their final. In the under 9’s tournament, Darasamuth School were triumphant over the Satit Udom Sueksa School in the deciding match.
The Father Ray Children’s Village were unlucky to concede more goals than any other team, eleven in one game, but they still managed to smile.
The day was a long one for many of the players, especially those who reached the final stages of the competition, but at the same time it was a great experience for all those who participated. Many local tournaments are organised for older teenagers, but this tournament has shown that there are hundreds of youngsters who not only enjoy playing football, but who also want to play competitively against others.
Chonburi FC – champions of the under-11 group.
Local businessman Martin Kinsella (right) accepts the signed shirt he won in the auction from Father Michael of the Father Ray Foundation.
Pattaya team Black Ant FC celebrate after winning a penalty shoot-out.
