HE WAS part of the Northern Mindanao football team that finished fourth in the elementary division of Vigan Palaro last summer.

But 12-year-old Anton Bongocan was used sparingly after suffering from an injured toe early in the tournament.

The son of Rosevale School sports director Dennis Bongocan and insurance executive Gay Bongocan, did not get discouraged instead continued training.

His efforts has been rewarded as Barcelona coaches picked him as one of the seven young booters in the country to train in Barcelona, Spain on November 4 to 12.

“I am very excited. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” said the midfielder and Grade 7 student of Rosevale School at Xavier Estates, Uptown.

His father Dennis is also very happy for his son to go to Barcelona.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It would cost us but we have to find ways to make sure Anton gets to Barcelona.”

Coach Dennis is raising some money to fund the trip of his son. He might also accompany him as parents are allowed to accompany their children to Barcelona.

Coach Dennis is also looking forward to go to Barcelona as he could learn coaching tips during the trip. Dennis is also the head coach of the Rosevale School elementary team now busy preparing for the Cagayan de Oro Division meet set next month.

Only one among the seven young booters will get free tickets to Barcelona while the rest will pay for their own plane tickets. They did not announce who will get the free tickets.

Anton was among the five Cagayan de Oro young players who joined the Cebu camp. The other players were Andy Lugod, Sam Salingay, Jrand Hortillano, and Don Ebuna.

Joining Anton in Barcelona are Alexander David Villarosa of University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu City, Breindel Medina of Ateneo de Davao, Tristan Ybanez of Sacred Heart School, Ateneo de Cebu, in Mandaue City, Cebu, Juan Pablo Unlay of Ateneo de Manila, and Dylan Theodore Wong.

The lone female booter who was picked for the Barcelona trip is Jodi Marie Banzon also of SHS, Ateneo de Cebu.

But according to her father Hesus Banzon, she might miss the trip as he does not have the funds to pay for her tickets to Barcelona.

However, he is not losing hope and is trying to raise funds for the trip. Hesus was a football player for Don Bosco during his younger years. He also has an older son who plays for University of San Jose-Recoletos.

(l.biantan@gmail.com)