Källström backs Gothia Cup youth event

Swedish international Kim Källström is sponsoring a new event at the Gothia Cup youth tournament, namely the Kim Källström Trophy, which has been created for young footballers with learning disabilities.

The 28-year-old Olympique Lyonnais midfielder explained his decision to get involved with the tournament in Gothenburg, saying: "I want to give kids with learning disabilities the chance to play football in the same way that I've been able to. My inspiration is my grandmother who worked with children with problems like this for a very long time."

Källström came through the ranks at BK Häcken, the Gothenburg-based Allsvenskan club, and participated in the Gothia Cup himself from 1993 to 1998. In fact, he is one of several big names, such as Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso and German women's international Kerstin Garefrekes, to have taken part in the competition in their formative years.

Roger Andersson from the Gothia Cup organising committee welcomed Källström's support. "We're very enthusiastic about this new section of the competition," he said. "To have Kim's backing is fantastic and will enable more international teams to take part."

The Kim Källström Trophy will be disputed by mixed gender seven-a-side teams, as one of a large number of categories to be played during the week of the Gothia Cup. The biggest youth tournament in the world, featuring more than 35,000 players from 73 different countries, the cup's 37th staging runs from Sunday 17 July.