Three former Premier Division champion teams have entered their youth teams and academies to contest the third edition of the Antigua Cup International Youth Football Tournament which kicks-off on Sunday 5 July at the Buckleys Primary School Playing Field.

Four-time top flight winners, Bassa and Parham, will join another ex-champion Villa Lions in the weeklong competition which concludes on July 12 in five age-categories: U9, U11, U13, U15 & U17.

Bassa, who are rebuilding having not played in the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) season for the past three season, replaces Attackers, who were one of three teams who shared the U15 title last year.

Also entering for the first time are Premier side’s Pigotts Bullets Academy, CPTSA Wings, Young Lions of Old Road, Soccer Academy, and Jennings.

They will come up against U17 champions Old Road; Cutting Edge – the reigning U11, U13 and Girls’ winners, joint-U15 champions Lion Cubs and Bath United of Nevis.

The other teams and clubs participating are Empire, Earthquake, Freetown, and host club, Young Warriors.

Organisers say they are humbled by the response of the teams taking part which set the scene for an exciting tournament with a number of the country’s best young talented players on display.

The Antigua Cup starts at 3pm on Sunday with an opening ceremony featuring addresses from government and sports officials representing the ABFA, the National Olympic Committee and the Department of Youth.

There will be a parade of teams with awards going to the Best Disciplined Team, the Best Dressed Team and the Best Organised Team.

Matches on Sunday begin from 4pm in the U9, U11 & 13 divisions as well as the Girls’ segment.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Former Premier champions youth teams to compete in Antigua Cup.