Champion Al-Nafeesa celebrating victory with guests, officials and fans JEDDAH — Gillette, the world's leading male grooming brand, concluded the first football tournament of its kind; Gillette Future Champs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Riyadh's Al-Nafeesa team winning the title recently. All 7 members of the winning squad will be sent to the prestigious Fundaci?n Real Madrid, part of the Real Madrid Football club, to be trained at a summer experience soccer camp under the guidance of one of the best football coaches in the world. Two teams from Jeddah and Riyadh battled for glory at the Dunk football court here. The final saw Riyadh's Al-Nafeesa prevailing 4-3 over Jeddah's Al-Ibrahimiya team in penalty shootout after the game ended in a draw. Lea Jarrar, Gillette Brand Manager in the Arabian Peninsula, said: “Gillette constantly strives to create strong engagement with and reward the most passionate football fans. As our brand offers the best a man can get, Saudi youth have also performed at their best and proved to be at a high professional level of play during Gillette Future Champs tournament. Congratulations to Al-Nafeesa team!” Supported by Middle East's sports icon and Gillette Ambassador in the MENA region Mustafa Al Agha, Gillette's tournament brought together youth's desire to look and perform like a champion. Through its deep understanding of the Saudi history and the passion its youth have for football, Gillette aimed to provide young Saudi talents a unique opportunity to enhance their skills. Al Agha, the host of MBC's Sada Al Malaeb sports TV show, that covers the latest football matches in the Arab region and the world, congratulated the winners, and said: “I am excited to be with you and witness the champions of the first football tournament of its kind in the Kingdom, which kicked off five months ago here in the same place. I have been following the games and results of the tournament, and must say how amazed I am with the level of professionalism and football talents of Saudi youth. I am proud to be part of the Gillette's challenge that paves the way for promising Saudi footballers to be recognized in the international football scene. Thank you, Gillette!” Gillette Future Champs witnessed a huge success in Saudi Arabia, engaging more than 1,800 participants shaping 256 teams from both Jeddah and Riyadh to compete against each other. Prior to the Kingdom's finals, 16 teams were extensively trained by professional and worldwide coaches for two weeks in Jeddah and Riyadh, for the chance to represent their city. The Gillette Future Champs program is about helping talented young Saudi football players become the champions of tomorrow. They learnt essential skills both on and off the field, and with the help of trained professionals, become the best at anything they put their minds to. The Gillette 5-a-side competition is the most exciting youth football competition Saudi Arabia has seen yet. — SG
