When the Aalasa Cup, the indoor football championship for children, took place in Ilulissat, there were a record number of participants. Even though the hall could barely accommodate all the many people, the event was a success, says chairwoman of N-48 Lena Ravn Davidsen.

Aalasa Cup 2025, the championship of indoor football for children, took place in Ilulissat Hallen 29-31 May with the participation of up to 500 children from Qaanaaq to Nuuk.

Aalasa Cup 2025, the championship

There have never been so many participants in a competition since the sports club Nagdlúnguak 1948, N-48 was established, and although the competition was a success, the sports hall is no longer suitable for holding such large competitions, says the chairman of N-48, and member of the municipal council of Avannaata Kommunia, Lena Ravn Davidsen.

Aalasa Cup 2025, the championship of indoor football for children, took place in Ilulissat Hallen 29-31 May with the participation of up to 500 children from Qaanaaq to Nuuk.

Aalasa Cup 2025, the championshipAnnouncement

There have never been so many participants in a competition since the sports club Nagdlúnguak 1948, N-48 was established, and although the competition was a success, the sports hall is no longer suitable for holding such large competitions, says the chairman of N-48, and member of the municipal council of Avannaata Kommunia, Lena Ravn Davidsen.

 Mange deltagere  

This year, children from 7-13 years old participated in 45 teams. There were a total of 374 participants from outside, and with the children from Ilulissat there were over 500 children in Aalasa Cup 2025.

– The basis for establishing Aalasa Cup in Greenland was to create leisure activities for children, and it has been well received by the many sports clubs.

– And this year’s event looks to be the largest of its kind in Greenland, he says.

To provide accommodation for the children and their tour guides, all the party halls in the city were used, in addition to the houses of the sports associations, and Atuarfik Mathias Storch was also used by many.

 Travel grants 

The clubs pay for their own travel in connection with participation in the Aalasa Cup, but they have received a subsidy for the travel.

– N-48, the Greenland Sports Association and GBU have collaborated to apply for funds for travel in the municipality, and fortunately it was approved.

– The size of the subsidies varies from municipality to municipality. In Avannaata Municipality, travel for children under 18 years of age was supported 100 percent. In addition, the support in Uummannaq was 75 percent, 80 percent in Upernavik and 85 percent in Qaanaaq.

– In Avannaata Municipality, we support children’s sports participation, and therefore the municipality fully supports the use of the sports hall, and we welcome that, says Lena Ravn Davidsen.

The clubs provide their own meals for the children. Some clubs use the school kitchen, with many also eating in restaurants in the city.

A multi-purpose hall is needed

The sports hall in Ilulissat is far too small for such a large event, and it has been a hindrance to the Aalasa Cup event this year, emphasizes Lena Ravn Davidsen.

– Since the clubs could not be in the hall at the same time, leisure activities were arranged for children around the city.

– For example, around 50 children received a free trip to Sermermiut with tour guides, in addition to a trip for some groups to Kangiata Illorsua (Ilulissat Icefjord Center, ed.) and museums, and in addition there were other leisure activities, she says.

Due to lack of space in the sports hall and so that the children’s parents in the different cities could follow, the matches were broadcast live via YouTube.

Happy children

24 children from Qaanaaq participated in Aalasa Cup 2025, and they had quite an experience, says tour leader Mads Ole Kristiansen from Qaanaaq Sports Club.

– The children were very happy to participate, but one of the participating boys unfortunately broke his arm, and this had consequences for our placement in the tournament. But the event was a success and deserves praise, he says.

Aalasa Cup 2026 will take place in Ilulissat next year.

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Aalasa Cup 2025, the championship of indoor football for children, took place in Ilulissat Hallen 29-31 May with the participation of up to 500 children from Qaanaaq to Nuuk.

Aalasa Cup 2025, the championship

There have never been so many participants in a competition since the sports club Nagdlúnguak 1948, N-48 was established, and although the competition was a success, the sports hall is no longer suitable for holding such large competitions, says the chairman of N-48, and member of the municipal council of Avannaata Kommunia, Lena Ravn Davidsen.

Aalasa Cup 2025, the championship of indoor football for children, took place in Ilulissat Hallen 29-31 May with the participation of up to 500 children from Qaanaaq to Nuuk.

Aalasa Cup 2025, the championshipAnnouncement

There have never been so many participants in a competition since the sports club Nagdlúnguak 1948, N-48 was established, and although the competition was a success, the sports hall is no longer suitable for holding such large competitions, says the chairman of N-48, and member of the municipal council of Avannaata Kommunia, Lena Ravn Davidsen.

 Mange deltagere  

This year, children from 7-13 years old participated in 45 teams. There were a total of 374 participants from outside, and with the children from Ilulissat there were over 500 children in Aalasa Cup 2025.

– The basis for establishing Aalasa Cup in Greenland was to create leisure activities for children, and it has been well received by the many sports clubs.

– And this year’s event looks to be the largest of its kind in Greenland, he says.

To provide accommodation for the children and their tour guides, all the party halls in the city were used, in addition to the houses of the sports associations, and Atuarfik Mathias Storch was also used by many.

 Travel grants 

The clubs pay for their own travel in connection with participation in the Aalasa Cup, but they have received a subsidy for the travel.

– N-48, the Greenland Sports Association and GBU have collaborated to apply for funds for travel in the municipality, and fortunately it was approved.

– The size of the subsidies varies from municipality to municipality. In Avannaata Municipality, travel for children under 18 years of age was supported 100 percent. In addition, the support in Uummannaq was 75 percent, 80 percent in Upernavik and 85 percent in Qaanaaq.

– In Avannaata Municipality, we support children’s sports participation, and therefore the municipality fully supports the use of the sports hall, and we welcome that, says Lena Ravn Davidsen.

The clubs provide their own meals for the children. Some clubs use the school kitchen, with many also eating in restaurants in the city.

A multi-purpose hall is needed

The sports hall in Ilulissat is far too small for such a large event, and it has been a hindrance to the Aalasa Cup event this year, emphasizes Lena Ravn Davidsen.

– Since the clubs could not be in the hall at the same time, leisure activities were arranged for children around the city.

– For example, around 50 children received a free trip to Sermermiut with tour guides, in addition to a trip for some groups to Kangiata Illorsua (Ilulissat Icefjord Center, ed.) and museums, and in addition there were other leisure activities, she says.

Due to lack of space in the sports hall and so that the children’s parents in the different cities could follow, the matches were broadcast live via YouTube.

Happy children

24 children from Qaanaaq participated in Aalasa Cup 2025, and they had quite an experience, says tour leader Mads Ole Kristiansen from Qaanaaq Sports Club.

– The children were very happy to participate, but one of the participating boys unfortunately broke his arm, and this had consequences for our placement in the tournament. But the event was a success and deserves praise, he says.

Aalasa Cup 2026 will take place in Ilulissat next year.