Epson Youth Challenge 2017 Comes to An End with Over 1,200 Participants and 180 Teams

- SINGAPORE, 31 July 2017 -

Epson Singapore successfully wrapped up Epson Youth Challenge on 29 July 2017. It saw a total of 180 teams across all categories, and witnessed the participation of more than 1,200 youths representing their respective teams.

Mr. Toshimitsu Tanaka, Managing Director, Epson Singapore said, “Epson has been supporting sport events globally for nearly 50 years. This has always been our way of engaging with people through the common language of sports. Epson Youth Challenge allows us to further extend our reach to grassroots football in Singapore, where there is strong passion for the sport. Through our partnerships with Geylang International FC and Sport Singapore, we were able to bring our commitment to youth development through sports to life. I hope everyone enjoyed Epson Youth Challenge this year, and congratulations to all the winners today.”

Mohammed Riaz Bin Mohammad Jaleel from team Bluehawks and Gabriel Lee from team TK Dexteritas, both in the Under-16 Boys category, were nominated as the two most valuable players in the tournament and will be offered a once-in-a-lifetime training stint with Matsumoto Yamaga Football Club in Japan.

Mohammed Riaz Bin Mohammad Jaleel from team Bluehawks said, “I am very proud and fortunate to be given this opportunity to go to Japan because they’re very well known for their football. I want to thank Epson and my team Bluehawks. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to make it this far.”

Both players were selected based on their football skills and techniques, their tactical understanding and ability to read the game, and whether they have the qualities, attributes and discipline of a football player both on and off the field.

Epson Youth Challenge focuses on youth development, an integral part of Epson’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes in Singapore and the broader region. The football tournament presents an exciting platform for youth in Singapore to showcase their skills and passion for the sport, as well as providing the local football community with the opportunity to identify talent at a young age.

Geylang International Football Club (GIFC), Chairman, Ben Teng said, “GIFC is very happy to be co-organising Epson Youth Challenge together with our main sponsor, Epson Singapore and Sports Singapore. GIFC has a rich tradition of developing young players, some of whom have risen to prominence as national players. The attachment with our partner club, Matsumoto Yamaga, for the two outstanding players will be an eye-opener for them. These young players will be able to experience high level of training which will hopefully stand them in good stead for their future footballing career after they return to Singapore. Thank you Epson Singapore, Sport Singapore, and Matsumoto Yamaga for making all this possible.”

Shamusyaraff Shamsuden, aged 15, is an example of an individual benefitting from this initiative as he was discovered by Geylang International’s Head Coach, Noor Ali, during a football clinic organised by Epson Singapore and Geylang International in preparation for the tournament. Based on his performance at the football clinic, Shamusyaraff was invited to join Geylang International’s Under-17 team.

Geylang International's Faritz Hameed (in green, centre) with Shamusyaraff Shamsuden (in black, right) during the Epson Football Clinic at The Arena on 19 July 2017

Shamusyaraff Shamsuden said, “Being scouted by Coach Noor Ali was unexpected and I am really excited to be part of the GIFC Under-17 team. The Epson football clinic enabled me this opportunity. It was really useful as we got to try new football drills and to put our skills to test.”

The knockout stages and finals of the Epson Youth Challenge took place on 29 July 2017, at The Padang.

Mr. Aleksandar Duric, Principal of the ActiveSG Football Academy said, “The children had a lot of fun over the past two weekends during the tournament and credit goes to Epson and Geylang International for their efforts. We look forward to partnering them for future events that will encourage our youths to keep playing football. Support from the corporates is essential for local football to grow and we hope more partners will join us to encourage more youths to play and watch football.”

Epson Youth Challenge 2017 is held in partnership with Geylang International Football Club (GIFC), in support of GetActive! Singapore and Singapore Football Week, and in celebration of Singapore Youth Olympic Festival 2017.

For the full list of winners for Epson Youth Challenge, please refer to attached document. 

The high-resolution images from Epson Youth Challenge 2017, including the Football Clinic, Preliminary Rounds, Knockout Stages, and Finals are available for download here.