CEBU will once again host a huge football festival, the three-day Copa Cebu 2025 on June 13-15 at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex.
The Copa Cebu 2025 features 18 age-group categories: Mix U-5, Mix U-6, Mix U-7, Mix U-9, Mix U-10, Mix U-11, U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19.
“I expect a lot of fun games and very competitve games. We expect the kids to really showcase their talents,” said Copa Cebu organizer and RAD Chameleon Apparel owner Gene Noel Gallarde in an interview on the event’s official Facebook page. “Hopefully, this will be the start of Copa Cebu in the future, and maybe, who knows, down the line our vision is to make Copa Cebu an international destination tournament.”
In addition to the youth divisions, other categories include the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Soccer Moms and 38 Above.
The U-9, U-11 and U-13 divisions will be particularly exciting because these age groups will compete in a three-stage tournament.
The winners of these divisions will advance to the next stage — the Philippine Cup, a national tournament. The winners of the Philippine Cup will then be representing the Philippines in the International Football Championship in Bali, Indonesia.
“This is a huge help especially the youth because the champions have incentives of playing internationally. What we lack in our football community are number of games, the number of tournaments. A new tournament like this will surely help the kids get more games,” said Cebu Regional Football Association board member Josephril Partosa.
Some of the best clubs in Cebu are expected to join the tournament.
Also expected to be present in the tournament is former Azkals striker Ian Araneta, who will be mentoring his team, Ilonggo United.
After a stellar career as one of the country’s most prolific players, Araneta has transitioned into a youth coaching role in Iloilo. / EKA