This first phase of the international sporting event runs from 3 May to the finals day 7 May. The second phase of the tournaments will be played at the same location, Santa Sports complex just off the sea front, between 10-14 May. The second phase will feature another amateur tournament and, for the very first time, a walking football tournament with 300 players, including teams from England, the Netherlands and Scotland.
These teams bring many old famous players like for example England legend Chris Waddle. With teams coming from all across Europe and as far afield as the Reunion Islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Cayman Islands, Russia, the Ukraine, China, north Africa, the Middle East and of course the Balearics and Spain, thousands of players and fans have been arriving in the resort for phase one and thousands more will be arriving for the second round.
In each tournament there are various groups including men’s and women’s, over 35s and over 45s. The standard of football is extremely high; countries even send their national sides. In the government tournament, 1,300 players will be competing, plus trainers etc., and in the amateur event, 600 players have enrolled.
In the second phase, 700 amateurs will be competing and 300 will be playing in the walking football tournament.
Organised by Mallorca Football Events with the full support of Calvia Council, the local authorities, hotel federation and the business community, the tournament gives Santa Ponsa a really good start to the season.
On average, most of the teams stay at least six days, some even longer as they make a holiday of the event and this generates welcome income for the local community and the resort. For the opening ceremony, all the police and military personnel are in uniform and national dress. The football is free to the public who would like to go along, enjoy the atmosphere and support their countries. During the tournaments a host of social events are organised with a theme night after the closing ceremonies.
Tournament president, Harry Engels, is extremely pleased that for the seventh year running there has been a marked increase in the number of countries and teams taking part.
For more information: www.mallorca-tournament.com
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