Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is excited to kick off their 4th edition of the Kia Orana Youth Football Festival which is set to begin in Rarotonga in a week’s time.

The festival will begin with the opening ceremony dinner hosted at The Edgewater Resort and Spa on Friday, April 21 followed by the opening round of games on Saturday, April 22.

The tournament will then span across the following week with the finals held on Saturday, April 29.

The festival was designed to allow CIFA’s technical team to identify prospects for its Academy. The selected players will be put through development and training, to represent the country in future international events.

In a statement, CIFA said: “Previous years have proven a success with identifying lead players who have gone on to represent the country. This festival provides a great opportunity for players from the outer islands to portray their skills and gain further development in football.”

The Kia Orana Youth Football Festival will be held across three venues and played on four fields during its eight-day span. The CIFA complex will host games on its two fields with Takitumu School and Victoria Park serving as the second and third venue for the tournament.

Teams from the islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiaro will begin to arrive early next week. Also included in the tournament from Rarotonga are Avatiu FC, Puaikura FC, Titikaveka FC and Tupapa Maraerenga FC.

The festival has a total of four divisions which features Under 15 boys and girls, along with Under 18 men and women. The tournament is set to be played in a pool format with each of the four divisions separated into two pools of A and B.

“Teams have been preparing for the upcoming tournament for the past few months. This will be an exciting tournament for the competitors and CIFA staff, as this tournament will provide opportunities that will help develop players to represent our national teams.”

Pools

Under 18 Men’s Pool A: Aitutaki, Mauke, Atiu; Under 18 Men’s Pool B: Tupapa Maraerenga, Mangaia, Avatiu. Under 18 Women's Pool A: Aitutaki, Atiu, Avatiu, Titikaveka; Under 18 Women's Pool B: Tupapa Maraerenga, Puaikura, Mangaia. Under 15 Boys: Titikaveka, Mitiaro, Aitutaki, Mangaia; Under 15 Girls: Titikaveka, Aitutaki, Mitiaro, Mangaia.