Mina Cup partners with SuperCupNI to take UAE youth football talent global

The competition known formerly as the Milk Cup has provided a platform for the likes of Beckham and Rashford

The Mina Cup was launched in Dubai last year and the inaugural tournament featured teams from Barcelona, Manchester City and La Liga. Photo: Mina Cup

The UAE-based Mina Cup has announced a partnership with the SuperCupNI, one of the lead youth-football tournaments in the world.

The Mina Cup, launched in Jebel Ali last year at JA Sports Centre - JA Resorts, confirmed on Tuesday night that a reciprocal arrangement has been agreed with the tournament known formerly as the Milk Cup, involving age-group teams from the respective competitions playing in each other's event.

As part of the new agreement, winners of the Mina Cup’s Under-14 UAE qualifying competition this autumn will qualify for next year’s SuperCupNI Premier section. Meanwhile, winners of this year's SuperCupNI Minor U13 section will take a place in the 2024 Mina Cup’s U14 section.

Staged in Northern Ireland, the SuperCupNI features representatives from some of the game’s most recognised youth academies. This year celebrating its 40th anniversary, it has previously provided a platform for the likes of David Beckham and Marcus Rashford to showcase their talent.

Mina Cup founder Chris Brown, who competed as a player in the former Milk Cup, said his experiences of taking part in Northern Ireland inspired the formation of his own youth tournament.

“Since moving to Dubai, I’ve been heavily involved in football and now run a football company that focuses on youth development, coach education and football event management and promotion,” said Brown, a long-time UAE resident.

“We are blessed with some incredible facilities in Dubai. For years, I had been thinking of trying to organise an elite youth football tournament and, at the back of my mind, I wanted to deliver an event that replicated the quality and standard of the SuperCupNI.

“I played for Crewe Alexandra at the tournament in 1996 where we lost to [Tottenham Hotspur] in the semi-final. It was an incredible experience, and some of the memories from that tournament are things I will never forget.

“It is an extremely well-run tournament with fantastic crowds and a real feel of what it would be like to be a professional footballer at a young age.”

Players of India's Minerva Academy celebrating after winning the U12 Mina Cup final against La Liga HPC Academy on Monday, April 11, 2022 at Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence in Dubai. All photos Pawan Singh / The National

Players in action during the U14 Mina Cup final match between Pumas Unam (white) and Manchester City Football Schools (black) at Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence.

Supporters of Minerva Academy celebrate after seeing their team win the U12 Mina Cup final.

A Minerva Academy player, left, shields the ball from a La Liga HPC player during the U12 Mina Cup final.

Player of Minerva Academy celebrate winning the U12 Mina Cup final.

Player of Minerva Academy celebrate winning the U12 Mina Cup final.

Minerva Academy (light blue) take on La Liga Academy.

A Minerva Academy player breaks through the La Liga Academy defence.

Pumas Unam (white) in action against the Manchester City Football Schools in the U14 Mina Cup final.

Player of Pumas Unam celebrate after winning the U14 Mina Cup final.

Player of Minerva Academy celebrate after winning the U12 Mina Cup final against La Liga HPC at Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence.

A La Liga Academy player, left, challenges a Minerva Academy player.

Players of Minerva Academy (light blue) and La Liga Academy contest the ball.

A Minerva Academy player, right, controls with the ball.

Player of Minerva Academy celebrate after winning the U12 Mina Cup final.

Player of Pumas Unam celebrate winning the U14 Mina Cup final.

Pumas Unam (in white) and Manchester City Football Schools (black) in action.

Players in action during the U14 Mina Cup final match between Pumas (white) and City Football Club.

Player of Pumas celebrate after winning the U14 Mina Cup final.

SuperCupNI chairman Victor Leonard added: “Chris and his team had originally contacted us for advice as he was about to launch the Mina Cup.

“Since then, we have kept in close contact. He is coming to Northern Ireland in July to take in the tournament, and some of our tournament management team will hopefully go to Dubai to take in the Mina Cup in the near future.

“We are keen to build this relationship in the future, and we are really looking forward to working with Chris and his team.”

The Mina Cup comprises teams at U12s, U14s, U16s and U18s level. Its inaugural edition was held last April and featured sides from Barcelona, Manchester City and La Liga.

This year's tournament will run from 1-3 April, with its opening ceremony on March 31. Thus far, entrants include Crystal, Southampton, New York Red Bulls and Yokohama FC.