The Tournament draw for the 2009 Peace Cup has now been made. The 12 team Peace Cup sees is hosted by Andalucia. Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo will feature for Real Madrid in the world's biggest club tournament.
|
David Yoo gives Martin O Neil a tantalising hands-on session with the Peace Cup 2009 trophy as reported by Aston Villa's official website
|
Peace Cup 2009 | Peace Cup Andalucia
For the first time the tournament will be held outside Korea. Hosted by Real Madrid, worldwide television exposure is on offer for the English Premier League participant as clubs from South America, Europe and Asia take part.
|
Juventus, the most successful club in Italian football, will participate in the 2009 Peace Cup Andalucía
|
Peace Cup 2009 - Andalucia.
Aston Villa win the Peace Cup 2009
"Overall, I couldn't be more pleased." Martin O' Neill
Congratulations from KAM Sports International to Aston Villa on their triumph in the Peace Cup. The English Premier League Club did their fans proud in winning the final against Juventus. Our clients take home the trophy, experience a pre-season of high quality games and the 2 Million Euro Prize money.
For your club to be considered as a Peace Cup participant please email michaeldarcy@kamsports.co.uk
As part of the Peace Cup, Birmingham authorities used the Peace Cup to give the city of Birmingham a boost in international awareness.
Their campaign http://www.visitbirmingham.com/avfc_Bullring_to_Bullring/
demonstrates how Aston Villa gained not just from a fantastic footballing preparation, but also the chance to highlight themselves and their city of origin on the world stage.
And what better way to promote a city than under the banner of Peace Cup 2009?
Los Merengues' sporting director thinks that the tournament, will become a huge event in years to come and is pleased that Real Madrid are involved.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Mijatovic explained why he feels that Madrid will benefit from playing and predicted how he sees the event growing.
"Apart from speaking about our opponents or the groups, we have to speak about the organisation and everything that has been done," he explained.
"I think that this tournament could become very important on a worldwide basis from the clubs' point of view.
Sevilla's sporting director, Monchi, believes that the Andalucian club's place in the event is a sign of how far they have come in recent years.
"I think that this is the best friendly tournament in the world," he told Goal.com.
"The fact that Sevilla are there is significant for us. Our growth is not just seen in our league position or in the number of trophies that we have won, but also in our participation in tournaments like this."
Representing Juventus, their sporting director, Alessio Secco, is pleased that the club are able to prepare for the season and be involved in something that is good for others.
"This is a competition that has a beneficial purpose and it is important to Juventus to be involved in social things," he explained to Goal.com.
"This is the first matter, but there is also the sporting theme – this [competition] will be a good pre-season work-out with teams on the same level [as Juve]."
The Peace Cup, which has previously been won by teams such as PSV, Olympique de Marseille and Tottenham Hotspur, took place this summer in Seville, Malaga, Jerez and Huelva.
Real Madrid, Sevilla, Malaga, Juventus, Aston Villa, Porto, Ittihad Jeddah, Fenerbahce, Celtic, Seongnam Ilhwa, Liga de Quito and Olympique Lyonnais are all confirmed participants.
http://www.peacecup.com/
This is the first time the biggest intercontinental club tournament in the world has been staged outside Korea.
Prize Money for the winners is Euros 2,000,000 and for the runners up - Euros 1,000,000 Real Madrid Sporting Director, Pedja Mijatovic explained why Real Madrid wanted to participate in the tournament. "Real Madrid have always wanted to participate in tournaments that promote fundamental campaigns such as peace and the fight against poverty.” We assessed both the social and sports impact it could have. Real Madrid are always ready to lend a hand, and this is a great chance to send a message of world peace; a cause Real Madrid has always taken to heart.” “Additionally, these matches against prominent clubs such as Olympiqe Lyon and Sevilla, will help us prepare for the following season. Preseasons are always important, and being able to play these matches here in Spain is an excellent opportunity for us. All the pieces came together for Real Madrid to play in this tournament."
The first Peace Cup was held in 2003 and has taken place biennially ever since.
The 2007 tournament saw Premier League representatives Bolton and Reading take part, (KAM Sports International acting for both) with Bolton narrowly missing out in the $2.5m final to Lyon.
Next summer's tournament will be the first held outside South Korea. Madrid, Huelva, Sevilla, Jerez and Malaga will host matches the matches. All proceeds will be donated to social welfare projects that assist youth. To see more about the Peace Dream Foundation
PSV Eindhoven defeated Olympique Lyonnais in the inaugral tournament. The French champions has played in every final, losing the 2005 tournament to Tottenham Hotspur and winning in 2007 against Bolton Wanderers. Check back here for regular news on the 2009 Peace Cup.
Latest...............Kyung Eui (David) Yoo, the Secretary General of 2009 Peace Cup Andalucìa Organizing Committee, has been named as a member of FIFA Special Projects Bureau (SPB).
The FIFA Special Projects Bureau strives to help developing nations in Africa through building football infrastructure. FIFA hopes to expand its radius of projects now to India, Oceania, South America, as well as, North America. The FIFA Special Projects Bureau is led by Senes Erzik chairman; who also serves as vice-president of UEFA and honorary president of Turkish FA. The bureau budget is 70 million dollars a year.
For information on the Peace Cup 2009 Andalucia
| 
