More than 5,000 children from 426 age group teams, representing 81 different football academies from Cyprus and abroad, will take part in the 23rd McDonald’s Ayia Napa Youth Soccer Festival, which kicks off on April 12 and runs through April 17 at the Ayia Napa sports centre.

During a press conference held on April 3 at the Ayia Napa marina, event spokesman Christos Constantinou announced that this year’s tournament will be hosted across 16 specially prepared and separated football pitches within the municipality’s sports facilities.

Age categories include grassroots football for boys and girls up to 12 years old, and youth teams for players aged 13 to 17.

“This festival is truly a celebration of football for children,” Constantinou said. “Our goal, and that of everyone participating, should be to protect the children and encourage their efforts in a spirit of sportsmanship and respect for the rules.”

Ayia Napa mayor Christos Zannettou reaffirmed the municipality’s ongoing support for major sports events like this one. “We continue to back initiatives that promote football, support the local community, highlight young talent, and inspire children across Cyprus to engage in such an important sport,” he said. “This tournament gives 426 teams — 81 of them from abroad — and over 5,000 children a platform to perform at their best.”

He noted that the municipality has once again upgraded the sports centre in preparation for the tournament, with more long-term improvements on the horizon.

Niki Karayioryi, speaking on behalf of the deputy ministry of tourism, emphasised that sports tourism is a key part of the country’s national tourism strategy. “The ministry actively supports efforts to attract international participation in tournaments like this,” she said.

“We have believed in the potential of this event since 2001, and are proud to see it grow each year,” she added. “We’re especially pleased by the increasing number of foreign teams taking part and reaffirm our commitment to supporting this successful event.”

Charis Kyrillou, representing the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), congratulated the organisers and said the CFA provides support in various ways. However, he also called for better behaviour from coaches and parents. “Unfortunately, we often see conduct that has no place in children’s football — and that reflects a wider failure,” he noted.

Michalis Sergiou, president of the Cyprus Coaches Association, noted that coaches serve as role models. “It’s our responsibility to help shape character and nurture a love for the sport in every child,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of McDonald’s, Katerina Andreou expressed satisfaction that the values of sport and fair play once again underpin the company’s role as official sponsor. “For the second year in a row, we are proud to be the official sponsor of this major football celebration,” she said, adding that McDonald’s is committed to long-term investment in social initiatives that support children and promote sports.