LaLiga Promises is launched in Vila-Real

Vila-Real opened its doors to the elite of academy football in Spain in an opening ceremony which, amid a party atmosphere, brought together all of the sides participating in the XXII PAMESA LaLiga Promises National Tournament. A spectacle of colour, football and music performed by the company Xarxa Teatre saw the curtain raised on the country’s top youth tournament. Present at the event were José Benlloch, mayor of Vila-Real, LaLiga president Javier Tebas, José Ramón de la Morena, director of the Fundación El Larguero, the competition's organisers, and representatives of the clubs in LaLiga.

Accompanied by each of the teams' anthems, which were played by the Banda Municipal de Música de Castelló, the more than 200 children from the sides taking part paraded before the crowd in the Plaza Mayor (main square) of Vila-Real, who showed their encouragement with applause.

From UD Almería, the first outfit to greet the fans in attendance at the presentation, to tournament hosts Villarreal CF, the twenty teams were given a warm welcome by those present. After the parade, players, coaches and referees read a declaration of fair play and respect to launch the championship, which will get going on Friday at Villarreal CF's training complex.

The president of the submarino amarillo, Fernand Roig, wished all the players the best of luck. "You're the stars of the weekend and we'll do everything in our power to ensure you enjoy it", he said, adding words of thanks to LaLiga for "its support for all levels of football". LaLiga head Tebas also addressed the players, reminding them of "the values of fair play in sport". The president also congratulated Villarreal CF and Roig for the "winning spirit with which they've shown they can compete both on and off the pitch".