THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) joined the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) and the Central Luzon Football Association (CLFA) and other stakeholders to stage the Luzon Cup—a tournament for boys under-12 from November 21 to 24 at the Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Park in San Jose, Tarlac.
The Tarlac provincial and city governments and the Department of Education-Tarlac also banded together to support the event that encourages the holding of more age group competitions throughout the country.
Speaking as guest of honor at the event’s launching, PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the PSC will always support associations in their events and activities for sports development especially in the regions.
Ramirez called on the private sector to help fund and promote more programs for Filipino children to get into sports.
Fifteen teams from different associations and clubs in Luzon are seeing action in the tournament. The 16th team is Mindanao Cup 2019 champion Bukidnon Football Association.
The Luzon Cup completes NOFA’s nationwide “triangle” of under-13 and under-12 tournaments, the other two being the Bacolod-based NOFA Cup and the recently concluded Mindanao Cup that NOFA organized with the Davao South Regional Football Association (DSRFA).
NOFA President Ricky Yanson said the events are in line with their “Football Para sa Lahat” vision to partner with fellow football associations to stage more tournaments for young footballers in more parts of the Philippines.
“Our dream, through ‘Football Para sa Lahat’ is to support more tournaments and activities for all age groups,” Yanson said. “We want more Filipinos to enjoy football. And we believe grassroots football development will eventually mean more lasting success in the international arena.”
Central Luzon FA General Secretary Ed Flaminiano said that the Luzon Cup is a boost to football on the island.
“Unlike in Negros Occidental, football is not marketed enough in Luzon, that is what we want to address with the help of NOFA and our other partners,” Flaminiano said. “With the Luzon Cup, we hope to extend the love for football and development opportunities for students in both the private and public schools.”
Image credits: Roy Domingo