Pepsi recently announced the launch of a football themed campaign in India, which combines the excitement and fun of T20 style of playing with the speed, thrill and spirit of football.

Winners of this nationwide tournament will get a chance to play football, Pepsi T20 way, against the Indian cricket stars. The game changers will also get a once in a lifetime opportunity of being coached byan international football star.

Speaking about the tournament, Ranbir Kapoor says, "Being a football enthusiast, I am glad an initiative has been taken to popularise the sport amongst the youth of our country."

To be a part of the Pepsi T20 Football campaign, amateur footballers between the age of 14 and 30 year s can register in seven-member teams at designated venues.

Open to all Indians, on ground registrations and matches will be organized across major Indian cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Ludhiana and Delhi.

The registration process begins with Chennai on March 14and tournament will continue till June. 64 teams from each city will compete in knock-out style 20-minute matches and the top 32 will compete in the respective city finales.

The city finale will be organized in a unique metallic cage at a public venue. A total of eight teams, including one winning team from each city and one wild card entry will compete to emerge as game changers. They will then get the opportunity to be coached by an international football star before they face the cricket stars at the grand finale.

ESPN Star Sports, who will produce and showcase the tournament in a special eight-episode series, starting April 2012.

Cricket is clearly not the flavour of the season for sport fans despite the fact that India is a cricket-crazy nation. With dismal performances and surprising comebacks, the unpredictable Indian team has both their game and big-ticket campaigns and sponsorships at stake.

First, Sahara sent shockwaves with a temporary pullout of IPL and now taking cue, one of the biggest sponsors, Pepsico, has ditched cricket for football with its first-ever football campaign in the country.

Pepsi's campaign "change the game" will now feature actor Ranbir Kapoor playing football rather than the usual suspects with the bat. The fact that Pepsi has selected to launch the second edition of the campaign featuring football rather than cricket only shows the immense popularity that football has garnered among the youth.

It also reflects the declining hold of cricket on youngistaan. The campaign will kick-start with a football-themed ad film that features the actor, also an avid footballer, and will be followed by a series of initiatives. The film brings alive the fun associated with football in true Pepsi style.

Deepika Warrier, executive director (marketing), Pepsico Beverages, India, said, "Pepsi has always taken the lead in celebrating newer and emerging youth platforms - from cricket to movies to music. The brand has successfully created memorable campaigns and experiences for youngistaan. Football is gaining immense popularity in india and being a youth soulmate, Pepsi is proud to be associated with the sport. with an exciting line-up of cricketing events, including IPL, ICC World Twenty20 and a host of thrilling football initiatives, Pepsi promises an action-filled, fun year."

Speaking about the campaign, Kapoor said, "Football is life for me and if i was not an actor, I would have loved to be a footballer. Football gives lessons on team work, determination and discipline besides being such an exciting sport. I am thrilled that pepsi is bringing the joy of football to india and am delighted to be a part of this campaign."

SOURCE: INDIATODAY.IN