Kia Orana Youth Football Festival 2023

Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) launch the 4th edition of the Kia Orana Youth Football Festival 2023

The festival begun with the opening ceremony dinner hosted by The Edgewater Resort and Spa on Friday, April 21 followed by the opening round of games on Saturday, April 22.

The tournament played out across the following week with the finals held on Saturday, April 29.

The Festival was held across three venues and played on four fields during its eight-day span. The CIFA complex hosted games on its two fields with Takitumu School and Victoria Park serving as the second and third venue for the tournament.

Teams from the islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiaro arrive the week leading up to the festival. The tournament also included teams from Avatiu FC, Puaikura FC, Titikaveka FC and Tupapa Maraerenga FC.

The festival has a total of four divisions featuring Under 15 boys and girls, along with Under 18 men and women.

“Teams had been preparing months ahead of the tournament, seeing close to 450 participants involved with the festival.

In the Under 18 Men’s Aitutaki, Mauke, Atiu, Tupapa Maraerenga, Mangaia and Avatiu had entered.
Under 18 Women’s saw Aitutaki, Atiu, Avatiu, Titikaveka, Tupapa Maraerenga, Puaikura, Mangaia enter teams.
Under 15 Boys had four entries which included Titikaveka, Mitiaro, Aitutaki and Mangaia.
For the Under 15 Girls division, Titikaveka, Aitutaki, Mitiaro and Mangaia had entered teams.

Throughout the tournament, spectators turn out to support their teams. the finals saw Tupapa-Maraerenga take 1st place for Under 18 men and women, while Aitutaki took 1st place for both Under 15 boys and girls.

The 2023 festival was another successful tournament and with 2025 set to host the fifth edition, the possibilities to include more clubs is exciting news for CIFA.