Tulsa Sports Commission announces international soccer tournament
July 29, 2011 by Staff · Leave a Comment
Ray Hoyt, senior vice president of VisitTulsa and executive director of Tulsa Sports Commission, was joined by Eddie Marles, A.C. Milan Youth Program coordinator for North and Latin America, and Alex Alston, Tulsa Sports Commission director of sales, at a press conference in July to announce the creation of an international youth soccer tournament in Tulsa.
The Tulsa Sports Commission is creating and hosting the tournament in partnership with A.C. Milan, an international soccer club. The tournament is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28, 2012, and will feature three Milan Junior League Elite teams comprised of youth ages 11-14.
“We have been working with Eddie and the A.C. Milan organization for several months to put this together and are thrilled to be able to make the announcement today,” said Hoyt. “This is a great opportunity for Tulsa to not only host a major international youth event, but to be able to partner with the world’s leading soccer club. This opens Tulsa up to an entirely new audience and once again puts us on an international stage attracting visitors who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to see our great city.”
The tournament is expected to draw 60-80 national and international youth teams with 1,800 – 2,100 people. Competition will take place over four days and is estimated to have a $2.8 million economic impact. Organizers are still determining the name, location and sponsorship opportunities. Details will be released as they become available.