CFA backs teams

THE Cebu Football Association will fully back up the teams bound for the Philippine Football Federation Visayas Football Festival in San Carlos City on Feb. 23-24.

CFA, with the help of sponsors and the City Government, will subsidize the teams’ transportation, food, allowance and accommodation.

The City Government allowed the use of its bus, which will take the players to and from San Carlos City.

CFA even shouldered the allowance of the coaches and staff. For this year, Cebu teams will be handled by Abellana National School head coach Francis Ramirez.

The teams will be in the Boys 2000, Boys 2002 and Girls 1999.

The teams are now in the final selection phase and the players’ lineup is expected to be released on Thursday.

“Dako ta ug chance ani kay even the previous festival kay mag sige man tag kadaug ani (We have a big chance since we’ve been winning the previous festivals),” said Ramirez.

The teams will be a selection of players that have tried out last month.

PFF will send its representative to scout these players.

Although the staff is finalizing the lineup, Ramirez said they had been practicing for three weeks already.

The regional festival will serve as a selection for the national team that will represent AFC Festival of Football summer next year.

The football gathering will saw teams from Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Iloilo.