One lucky Los Angeles youngster will be the official mascot of the 2011 English FA Cup winners this weekend when Manchester City face Major League Soccer rivals, LA Galaxy, in a showpiece friendly at the Home Depot Center on Sunday 24th July

More than 300 young boys and girls will battle it out for the once-in-a-lifetime mascot prize in a special competition organised by City’s ‘Official Destination Partner’, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), at Long Beach this Friday (22nd July).

In the first test, youngsters will have to place a penalty kick in one of three holes built in to a special, Abu Dhabi-inspired backdrop. With all 300 youngsters given a chance, those who score will become ‘Finalists’ and progress to an elimination round.

The backdrop will then be replaced by a real life challenge – the commanding figure of a Manchester City goalkeeper. The final will run until the field is whittled down to the last three; it will end when a single winner is crowned.

“A big prize deserves a big challenge and we cannot wait to see how this once-in-a-lifetime chance pans out,” said Dayne Lim, ADTA’s product development director.

“With the huge strides the club has made in recent seasons, these are exciting times for Manchester City – as they are for Abu Dhabi. As part of our strategy to increase inbound custom from North America, we have just appointed our first, on-the-ground personnel in the States, while details of our American office will be released in coming months.”

As well as securing the coveted mascot role, the winning youngster will also receive four VIP hospitality passes for the friendly match and a complimentary full club kit.