THE world’s most popular sport will be reintroduced to Filipinos as both the public and private sectors joined hands to create a public playing field for football through World Cup Pilipinas (WCP), a tournament pitting representatives of the world’s football superpowers against each other.
Games will start on May 29 and end on June 20 for the tournament finals.
The month-long event, which will coincide with the World Cup hostilities in South Africa, will have its maiden base at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Bulwagang Ipil-Ipil grounds.
Use of the fields will be free to the public on all days, during non-playing times.
Free football clinics for beginners and enthusiasts will also be conducted throughout the day in the event backed by Castrol, Century Tuna, Milo 3-in-1, Nestea, Mizuno, Nestle Fruit Selection, and the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap).
WCP is the brainchild of Sunken Garden United (SGU-FC), a Securities and Exchange Commission-listed athletic organization, with members coming from young individuals seeking football scholarships, University of the Philippines alumni, Christians, Muslims, business executives, workers, men and women.
Founded in 1997, the club was established in the name of UP’s Sunken Garden, the team’s home field, which is a natural convergence point for football lovers especially during weekends.
Interested parties may call mobile landline 994-2832 or visit the “World Cup Pilipinas” Facebook page for details or team registration information. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)