DAVAO CITY — Grassroots football development in Mindanao gets a big boost when the Mindanao Cup Football Invitational tournament kicks off Wednesday morning (Oct. 23) at the Tionko field in Matina, Davao City.
Young footballers from 16 teams from all over the island will show off their talents in this completion organised by Negros Occidental
Football Association (NOFA) president Ricky Yanson Jr., the Davao Regional Football Association (DRFA) and sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), for boys 11-10 years of age (born 2008-2009).
According to coach and NOFA staff Reggie 'Dax' Miraflor, the tournament is designed to discover new talents which can be nurtured later on to be members of the various Philippine youth teams. “We always look forward to players from Mindanao. They are tough brave and skilful,’’ he said.
Miraflor, who is also a many time coach of a number of Philippine National Youth teams in the past, also added that players from Mindanao are special.
“They could not be intimidated. They are also very strong. We are looking forward to discover many more in this competition,’’ said.
Mindanao is indeed a bastion of football talents despite the lack of grassroots programs. Just check the different football teams from the UAAP NCAA and you can see many players from Mindanao.
The Mindanao Cup will certainly boost the the grassroots development in this island.
Teams joining are Agusan del Sur FA, Bukidnon FA, Central Butuan District A, CdeO-Little Me Academy FC, Camp Kawa FC
of Golden Davao FC, DavaoNor FC, Davao Lola Mommy’s (White), Davao Lola Mommy’s (Red), Iligan City Football Academy,
MRFA Sulta Jolongs FC, SOCSARGEN RFA, Team MARFA, SWAT FC, Surigao United, Dipolog City, and Sta, Lucia Jumbos.
All teams are expected to arrive on Oct. 22 at the Davao City National High School for the screening of all the players at
3:30-5:30 p.m. After the screening will be the match coordination meeting and the welcome dinner.
Opening ceremony is at 7 30 a.m. while the elimination round on Oct. 23 will then start immediately until 5 p.m.. It will then resume the next day on Oct. 24 until the morning of Oct. 25. The semis and the championship will then be on the afternoon of Oct. 25 while the awarding ceremony will follow. (l.biantan@gmail.com)
