DAVAO -- 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, comprising 16 teams from all over the island will show off their talents in this completion organized by the Negros Occidental Football Association (Nofa) president Ricky Yanson, 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,” he said.
Mindanao is indeed a bastion of football talents despite the lack of grassroots programs.
Just check the different football teams from the UAAP and NCAA and you can see many players from Mindanao.
The Mindanao Cup will certainly boost 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, Soccsksargen RFA, Team Marfa, SWAT FC, Surigao United, Dipolog City, and Sta, Lucia Jumbos.
All teams are expected to arrive today 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 will then start immediately until 5 p.m. It will then resume the next day on October 24 until the morning of October 25. The semis and the championship will then be on the afternoon of October 25 while the awarding ceremony will follow.
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