Veteran's Cup soccer to bring 2,700 here

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

Another soccer tournament is headed for Hawai'i, bringing with it an estimated $3.5 million in visitor spending, according to its organizers.

The 2003 National Veteran's Cup, Hawai'i's first national cup-level soccer games, is expected to draw 2,700 visitors from 53 Mainland soccer teams.

The tournament, being held at the Wapi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex, will run Wednesday through Sunday.

Besides the Mainland players, 12 local teams will compete in the event, which features athletes between the ages of 40 and 65. The Hawaii Soccer Association will be the host of the tournament.

The National Veteran's Cup is the latest in a series of soccer events that are benefitting Hawai'i's economy.

In June, the Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships brought about 4,000 players plus another 4,000 to 6,000 family members and fans to the state, contributing about $12 million to the economy.

Last year, the American Youth Soccer Organization Championships drew an estimated 6,000 visitors to the state and infused about $8 million into the economy.