By JONAS TERRADO
The Luzon Cup got an additional boost with the Philippine Sports Commission lending its support to the boys under-12 football tournament set Nov. 21 to 24 at the Jose V. Yap Sports Recreational Park in San Jose, Tarlac.
PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez expressed his support to the competition organized by Negros Occidental Football Association President Ricky Yanson which will pit 15 teams plus a champion team from Mindanao.
Bukidnon recently won the Mindanao Cup held in Davao City.
Ramirez also pledged to have the regional grassroots tournament stage its national championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and sponsor a football trophy to the winning team.
“This is our way of giving additional support and help continue whatever progress has already made,” Ramirez said during Monday’s launching at the Century Park Hotel.
The Central Luzon Football Association has also joined NOFA and the PSC in staging the event held through Yanson’s “Football Para sa Lahat” project.
“Our dream is to support more tournaments and activities for all age groups,” Yanson said. “We want more Filipinos to enjoy football. And we believe more football development programs will eventually mean more lasting success in the international arena.”
Also gracing the event were CLFA General Secretary Ed Flaminiano, Gawad Kalinga’s Marlyn Importante and coach Alvin Ocampo of La Salle.
The Tarlac provincial and city governments and the Department of Education – Tarlac have also banded together to support the event that encourages the holding of more age group football competitions throughout the country.
Ramirez called on the private sector to help fund and promote more programs for Filipino children to get into sports.
“Our dream, through ‘Football Para sa Lahat’ is to support more tournaments and activities for all age groups,” said Yanson.
“We want more Filipinos to enjoy football. And we believe grassroots football development will eventually mean more lasting success in the international arena.”
NOFA is sharing their best practices with its fellow football associations, culled from organizing its own NOFA Cup and Dynamic Football League.