Apollo Tyres and Manchester United Celebrate Young Football Talent & Launch the 'Apollo Challenges' Competition
LONDON, September 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
As a continuation of the 'Go the Distance' ethos, Apollo Tyres and Manchester United are releasing a set of skills challenges to give football fans the opportunity to win a VIP trip of a lifetime to Old Trafford for one of the games of the season
Apollo Tyres and Manchester United are continuing with their shared commitment to preparing solid foundations for the next generation of football talent. This began in August when the tyre major launched a new state-of-the-art 'Go the Distance' community pitch within the Old Trafford premises. The pitch, made from 2,200 recycled tyres, is the first of its kind and will provide local kids with the opportunity to learn the necessary fundamental skills needed to go the distance in football. The next stage in this commitment to youth development will see Apollo Tyres and Manchester United launch the 'Apollo Challenges' to their global fan base.
The 'Go the Distance' pitch was created for the local community to test out and hone three key skill-sets associated with Manchester United's success over the years: Agility, Accuracy and Control - also the key performance aspects of Apollo Tyres' products. Before launching the next 'Go the Distance' pitch, Apollo and Manchester United are making these core skills accessible to fans through the 'Apollo Challenges', a series of online challenge films demonstrated by members of the Manchester United first team squad.
On the key skills being highlighted by Apollo Manchester United Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said: "Being able to practise these three core skills is crucially important to the development of any player. By teaching the value of these skills and the value of going the distance in training Manchester United and Apollo hope to inspire players to achieve their full potential in the game and in life. "
Click below to view a video of Manchester United foundation staff discussing the importance of these core skills:
Marco Paracciani, Chief Marketing Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd commented: "We are very proud and excited to launch the first of the three 'Apollo Challenges' videos. Agility, Accuracy and Control are the core skills for any footballer, and are also facets of any great tyre. The 'Go the Distance' pitch and the Apollo Challenges are designed to help all players to lay the foundations for a successful future, which is why the activity online and in communities is so important to us."
The first Apollo challenge sees Manchester United and Spain international Juan Mata demonstrate how to master the first of three important skills, agility, by guiding fans through a test for improving this key skill.
Subsequent challenges will be launched in October and November and involve different members of the Manchester United squad, including Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini.
On the importance of core skills, Juan Mata commented: "Growing up in Spain I was always taught the importance of being agile on the pitch. This footballing philosophy is one that is extremely important to Manchester United and has been the basis of the club's success for many years - there are no shortcuts. I know that teaching the youth of today these lessons will create stars of the future."
To enter the competition, fans should submit a film showcasing them mastering the skill demonstrated by the Manchester United players. Three separate lucky winners will win an all expenses paid trip along with a friend to Old Trafford to watch one the hottest matches of the Premier League season from a VIP Box at Old Trafford, as the Red Devils take on Liverpool on 13 December 2014. The winners will receive travel, 5 star hotel accommodation, a signed Manchester United shirt, post-game hospitality and a surprise goody bag.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/ApolloTyresLtd to be in with a chance of winning this prize.
http://www.apollochallenges.com
About Apollo Tyres Ltd
Apollo Tyres Ltd is a leading Indian tyre manufacturer. It is built around the core principles of creating stakeholder value through reliability in its products and dependability in its relationships. The company has four manufacturing units in India, three in Southern Africa and one in the Netherlands. Apollo's subsidiary companies are Apollo TyresAfrcia (Pty) Ltd in South Africa and Apollo Vredestein BV in the Netherlands. India, South Africa and Europe are the company's three domestic markets from where products are exported to over 100 countries. In each of the domestic markets the company operates through a vast network of branded, exclusive and multi-product outlets
Apollo Tyres Ltd., 7 Institutional Area, Sector 32, Gurgaon 12001, India, T: +91-124-2721000, http://www.apollotyres.com
About Manchester United
Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through our 136-year heritage we have won 62 trophies, enabling us to develop the world's leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media and mobile, broadcasting and match day.
For further details contact:
Rohit Sharan, +91-124-2721000, rohit.sharan@apollotyres.com
Romy Uit Het Broek, +31-53-4888-439, romy.uithetbroek@apollovredestein.com
Chris Smith at The Brooklyn Brothers, +44(0)207-292-6200, chrissmith@thebrooklynbrothers.com
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