Ziad Saade inducted into Gothia Cup Hall of Fame

Lebanese Ziad Saade has brought over 200 Lebanese teams to Gothia Cup. Now he is being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Lebanese Ziad Saade has brought over 200 Lebanese teams to Gothia Cup. Now he is being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
– This is the World Cup for children, he says.

For over 20 years, Ziad Saade has been one of the Gothia Cup's most important representatives based in Lebanon. There, with his extensive network, he has attracted teams to the Gothia Cup year after year.
– All the Lebanese teams that have come here with Ziad have all been very fine ambassadors for both Lebanon and the sport in general. We are pleased that he’s now being inducted into the Hall of Fame, and we hope that he continues to attract teams of that caliber in the future, says Niclas Andersson, tournament director for the Gothia Cup.
As a result of all of his work for Gothia Cup in Lebanon, Ziad Saade is now honored with a place in the Gothia Cup Hall of Fame.
– For our children, it’s difficult to ever participate in a World Cup. So they live the dream of playing the World Cup here – for the children, this really is the World Cup. With the opening ceremony, the matches, and the number of teams. This is truly something that the children strive for and achieve by participating, he says.

During his over 20 years as a Gothia Cup representative, Ziad Saade has brought over 200 Lebanese teams to western Sweden to participate in the world's largest youth football tournament.
–We give the players life experience, it's not just about football. Through the Gothia Cup, they learn to take care of themselves and small things like making their beds. They take responsibility here. It's about life experience. It's also about meeting other people, which gives them confidence and an opportunity to open their minds. It gives the kids who dream of the national team a chance to play for their country, says Ziad Saade.

With this recognition, the Gothia Cup extends a big thank you to Ziad Saade for his invaluable work for the tournament and for all the children and young people who have experienced the world's largest youth football tournament through him.