More than 3,000 kids participated in the Nike5Showdown Football tournament in Ghana. The tournament was held January 21 through early February and coincided with the Africa Cup of Nations— the largest football event on the continent. While Africa’s football superstars were in the spotlight, Nike staged a showcase for the next generation.
“The games were full of energy and excitement,” said Bernard O’Herne, Brand Protection Manager and Project Coordinator. “The play was all Nike: Offensive, passionate and unforgettable. We wanted to give them an experience to remember.”
The Nike5Showdown games showed off some of the best emerging talent in Ghana; more than 300 teams of five competed for victory. The result was an innovative, semi-indoor five-aside-for-five-minutes tournament. The event's Web site carried near-live news, photos and interviews with players.
Kids from Football clubs, girls and Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) participated. At the venue itself, in Accra, Ghana, the kids could play one-on-one games, team scrimmages, surf the internet and watch football films. The laptops purchased by Nike and used during the tournament were donated to the Nation School Council and other groups. As part its Let Me Play commitment to bring sport to kids, Nike also donated 200 Nike balls to Play Soccer, as well as several hundred balls to other NGO's.
“Not only do I believe that we gave these kids the best day in their lives, but we are a good step closer to better cooperation with the NGO’s that participated,” said O’Herne.
The tournament was covered by multiple radio stations, as well as many international television stations and newspapers. Many videos of the event also made it on YouTube.