More than 1,000 budding young footballers turned out for the third and final Silicon 7s tournament of the season last Friday.
The tournament, organised by E-Sports Football Club (EFC), saw a total of 75 teams competing in age groups from Under-6 to U-16 at GEMS Academy Silicon Oasis in Dubai, with the tournament having become one of the biggest youth football tournaments in the UAE.
Games started in the group stages and before progressing to semi-finals and finals.
Tournament organiser Gwyn Williams said: “The event just keeps growing and with a waitlist in each age group we are already in the planning stages on how to develop the format further.
Action from the Silicon 7s
“Having this many different teams from across the region compete alongside each other creates a very special atmosphere and everybody has a great day out. The level of football is impressive and the boys really get to showcase their talent.
“I would like to thank all teams for their participation and we look forward to the next event taking place after the summer break.”
With five-10 teams entered in every age group, the waitlist was already long weeks before the registration deadline and 16 different academies, schools, clubs and private organisations from across the Middle East got together for an incredible 12-hour day of competitive matches.
Matches were held on two different sites of primary and secondary school pitches which saw up to seven games running at one time.
Aside from the U-6s who played five-a-side matches on smaller pitches, all games were seven-a-side, with all formats ensuring many touches on the ball and encouraging team play.
EFC director Terry Kidd added: “The Silicon 7s has been developed to provide a competitive platform for all academies, schools, clubs and other organisations to participate in an environment that provides learning outcomes for all aspiring young players with the freedom to express and further develop their footballing education journey.
“The tournament is open to players from the age of six to 16 and is formatted to support each age category to ensure a fun and developmental experience.”
Teams can already start preparing for the next event in October. For information and registration, email [email protected]
A day earlier, the EFC Girls Cup, also organised by EFC, was played at GEMS Metropole School in Motor City.
Youth football in the UAE is thriving
A total of 11 teams competed in U-12 and U-14 age groups, with some exciting finals and highly competitive games proving the girls can keep up with the boys when it comes to passion and commitment to the sport.
Tournament manager Jessica Prelle said: “As tournaments and leagues are more limited when it comes to all female events in the UAE, E-Sports Football Club is delighted and proud to run such a successful programme.
“The level of football keeps rising from event to event and the progression of the girls is remarkable.
“We look forward to keep developing this part of the academy and I would like to thank all teams for their participation and ongoing support.”
The next girls tournament takes place on May 12, where U-16 teams will also compete. For information and registration email [email protected]
Silicon 7s winners, runners-up and best players:
U-6
Winners – SoccerKids
Runners-up – Go Pro
Player of the Tournament – Ignacio Sosa del Valle (Soccerkids)
U-8
Winners – Elite Black
Runners-up – FC Bescola
Player of the Tournament – Floris Bosscher (GC United)
U-10
Winners – EFC Muller
Runners-up – Elite Grey
Player of the Tournament – Juha Leinonen (Elite Grey)
U-12
Winners – Go Pro
Runners-up – Dubai Rovers
Player of the Tournament – Tom Colby (EFC Zidane)
U-14
Winners – FC Bescola
Runners-up – Go Pro
Player of the Tournament – Ahmad Alame (Go Pro)
U-16
Winners – Go Pro
Runners-up – EFC
Player of the Tournament – Hammam Abdelrazig (EFC)
EFC Girls Cup winners, runners-up and best players:
U-12
Winners – Go Pro
Runners-up – EFC12
Player of the Tournament – Summer Stanton (EFC12)
U-14
Winners – EFC14
Runners-up – Dubai Football Girls
Player of the Tournament – Liz Forshaw (Go Pro)
