Young talents from all over the world came together for the Selectum Junior World Cup Antalya (JWCA) held in Antalya Belek between 16-20 April.
Also known as the Children's Football World Cup, the JWCA is meeting with football fans in Antalya for the second time. With the participation of over 28 teams and over 300 young football players from 3 different countries and five continents, this major organization both encourages sports success and stands out with its support for international children's sports culture.
The press conference held before the tournament was attended by many valuable names such as Volkan Burak Mumcu, Head of the Department of International Organizations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Yavuz Gürhan, Antalya Provincial Director of Youth and Sports, Merve Kocagöz, Director of the Department of Sports of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Tayfun Turanlıoğlu, ATG Hotels Executive Board Member, important names of the sports world Mahmut Alparslan and Kartal Yiğit, and Technical Director Ferda Ramanlı.
“JWCA is One of the Most Special Experiences of a Child’s Life”
Tournament Coordinator Cüneyt Gazioğlu emphasized that JWCA allows children to express themselves through sports, make friends from different countries and live one of the most special experiences of their lives. Gazioğlu said, “No other children's football tournament has ever been held in the world with so many famous teams participating.”
Antalya, the Capital of Sports Tourism
Stating that Antalya is one of the rare cities where many branches of sports can be held simultaneously, GSB International Organizations Department Head Volkan Burak Mumcu said, “In this respect, it is almost the capital of sports tourism. We believe that this organization, which includes nearly four thousand foreign participants, will provide a very strong return with the sharing to be made on social media and the experiences of the participant families in Antalya. This is not only a tournament, but also a great opportunity for the promotion of our country.”
Friendships of the Future Are Being Established in Antalya
Antalya Youth and Sports Provincial Director Yavuz Gürhan emphasized that Selectum Junior World Cup Antalya is not only a large sports organization but also an international children's meeting that supports intercultural interaction, and said, "The foundations of future friendships are being laid here today. In this sense, I find this event held in Antalya very valuable and I would like to thank everyone who contributed."
“Antalya Supports Not Only Sea, Sand and Yacht Tourism, But Also Sports”
ATG Hotels Executive Board Member Tayfun Turanlıoğlu stated that the event was not just a sports competition, but also an experience that would leave an indelible mark on children’s lives. Sports writer Kartal Yiğit stated that Antalya’s sports facilities were above European standards, and said, “Antalya supports not only sea, sand and yacht tourism, but also sports.” Technical Director Ferda Ramanlı also drew attention to the support provided by the Antalya Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports for sports.
More than 28 young talents from 3 countries will compete
JWCA 2025 will start tomorrow in Belek, the popular touristic center of Serik district. Coming from five different continents and flocking to Türkiye, young football players from 28 countries will compete fiercely in more than 300 teams in total. The organization, which will be transformed into a football festival by more than 3 young talents, is on its way to becoming one of the world's largest children's football festivals. Selectum Junior World Cup Antalya stands out as an important event that reveals the unifying power of sports not only in the field of children's football but also on a global level.
