Cultures merge in soccer contest

Michael Owen learnt his England skills at the tournament

Potential soccer stars of the future are showing off their skills in Aberystwyth in a tournament which nurtured English striker Michael Owen.

The Wales International Football Tournament is playing host to 200 teams - and up to 4,000 boys and girls - from around the world.

As well as coming from as far away as Canada, South America and for the first time India, some of the teams are made up of under-sixes.

Organisers of the competition say the contest gives Welsh hopefuls like the Flintshire striker the chance to test themselves against the best.

"Michael Owen came here for four consecutive years playing for a mid Wales under 10s team," said Meirion Appleton, a junior league development officer with the FAW Trust.

"his goal-scoring record stands"

"So did Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman - it certainly is a tournament which breeds stars of the future."

Economy

The tournament, now in its 19th year, is also an important money-spinner for the town of Aberystwyth.

Competitors stay in the university halls of residence for the week and bring a rush of business for local traders.

"I have never seen Aberystwyth so choc-a-block," said Mr Appleton, adding he estimated the venture bought in £1m to the region's economy.

For the first time, the tournament has a section for the under-sixes and teams of tiny tot players have been drawn in from Cardiff and elsewhere.

The competition also has another first - a team competing from India.

On their first trip to Europe, the country's national youth side have found the going quite tough.

"Even so, they have done quite well getting through to the finals," said Mr Appleton.

There are winners in a number of sections but the winner of the main competition and claimant of the Ian Rush trophy will be known later on Friday.