WE are going to have the 6th edition of the SunStar Cup at the Cebu City Sports Center on Nov. 4 and 5, two weeks earlier than the usual.
Just like in previous editions, this will be for the age group players, from the Players 7 to the Boys and Girls Under 19 divisions. The cut-off for the divisions are Players 7 (2011), Players 9 (2009), Players 11 (2007), Boys 13 (2005) Boys and Girls 15 (2003), Boys and Girls 17 (2001) and the Boys and Girls 19 (2009).
We had our coaches’ meeting last week and we emphasized the need to play fair and to practice sportsmanship. The Cebu football community is just a small one and almost everyone knows everybody else, so fielding ineligible players is a big no-no.
One coach has learned that the hard way and starting this year, he’ll be on the outside looking in. I mean, what does one accomplish in fielding ineligible players? Where’s the satisfaction in lifting that trophy when you know that the players you fielded do not belong to that age group?
Winning isn’t everything, it’s how you play the game.
This year, we will also be strict in making sure that only players, coaches and officials will be on the pitch. Remember, the reason we moved the tournament early is to give the field ample time to rest since it it will be used for the home match of Global Cebu FC. Of course, we all remember what happened when Ceres came to town, right? So, I hope everyone cooperates in keeping the damage to the field to a minimum.
There will be damage, that’s for sure. A festival type tournament is harakiri for the field but we can limit the damage to a minimum if we strictly keep the spectators off the field. So I hope, everyone cooperates.
Also, starting this year, champions will have an incentive as we are planning to allow them to register for free in the next edition. That’s something that’s not done in other tournaments and I think this is a great incentive.
Of course, our tournament wouldn’t be complete without the raffles and giveaways, so be sure to be there in the two-day event so you’d get a chance to win them.