RIYADH, 2 December 2005 — In a major show of Saudi soccer talents, PepsiCo International invited many aspiring teenage footballers last week to attend trials at the Prince Turki ibn Abdul Aziz Stadium here to win once in a lifetime opportunity to represent Saudi Arabia in a new global TV program, ‘The Pepsi World Challenge’. “This is the first program of its kind launched in the Kingdom to reward talented footballers,” said Hossam Dabbous, PepsiCo’s marketing director for the GCC.
“Those who think they have what it takes, PepsiCo International has offered them a chance to become heroes of their country as they compete in a series of challenges with the world’s most exciting players and biggest football clubs,” Dabbous said on the occasion, while lauding the support of Prince Sultan ibn Fahd, president of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW), Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal, GPYW deputy chief and the Saudi Football Federation.
Referring to the features of the Global Pespsi Challenge program, Dabbous said that “it was also an initiative launched by PepsiCo International to give its consumers the best the world has to offer in the sport of football.” Two Saudi youth will be selected under this program. As part of the global television series, young footballers from countries all over the world including the Kingdom will have seven weeks to discover if they’ve got the skills to be the best.
Players will face the Latin flair of Ronaldhino and Roberto Carlos, learn from the best leadership role models at Manchester United, test themselves against David Beckham’s legendary skills and attempt to replicate Thierry Henry’s raw talent. The two contestants selected from Saudi Arabia will have to work as a team and dare for more in an attempt to split the ultimate cash prize of $100,000.
The contestants will also experience an ‘access all areas’ pass to the world of PepsiCo International football and great prizes at the end of each weekly challenge. “Hence, teenage footballers aged between 16-19 were invited to turn up at the stadium in Al-Riyadh football club to prove they have what it takes to represent the Kingdom as part of The Pepsi World Challenge,” he said. Dabbous said that Pepsi World Challenge would give a unique insight into the world of football at the highest level with the world’s biggest players.
“This is an incredible opportunity for any young footballer who is willing to show they have what it takes to compete with the world’s best footballers and demonstrate a range of skills from leadership and fitness, to passion and being able to cope under pressure,” said the organizers.
“PepsiCo is constantly looking for new ways to provide exclusive access and unique consumer experiences and with our Pepsi World Challenge, finalists can experience first hand what it really takes to succeed and achieve greatness in football,” they said.
