February 21 - 28, 2013

Visayas-Regional FOF 2013

On the Hot seats - The guests and the VIPs during a press conference held at the Clubhousewhich focused on PFFs aims and their partnership with Suzuki Philippines. L-R : Competitions Department Head - Mr. Cyril Dofitas, the Chairman of the Competitions Committee - Mr. Dick Emperado, the General Manager of Suzuki Philippines Automobile Sales and Marketing Division - Mr. Shuzo Hoshikura, San Carlos City Mayor - Hon. Gerardo P. Valmayor, and Auto Sales and Marketing Manager Suzuki Philippines – Mr. Ferdinand Lasan.

   
     February 23-24, 2013 - The Philippine Football Federation, Negros Occidental Football Association and San Carlos City Negros Football Club held the Visayas-Regional Festival of Football at the SJRI Football Fields with the participating teams from Iloilo Football Association , Negros Oriental Football Association, Leyte Football Association, Cebu Football Association and Negros Occidental Football Association.
    *John Carmona, Secretary General of San Carlos City Football Club, said that five teams in Visayas will come to compete in this 2-day football hostilities. The event includes different age categories namely; boys’ 10 and 12 under; and Under 14 girls. The U14 girls’will be the basis for Visayas players to be part of the national team to play in Vietnam, while the boys Under 12 the basis for Visayas players to be part of the national team to play in Sabah, Malaysia. He added that in the Under 10, the PFF technical will select 19 to 20 potential players for football excellence in Visayas. Carmona also disclosed that San Carlos City will host the PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup regional championship on April 15 to 19, 2013. Three teams are already qualified and will fight their way to the national tournament. They are the Cebu City Football Association, Iloilo Football Association and Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA)*.
(*Lines taken from Negros Daily Bulletin by Cyrus Garde)
Press-con at the Clubhouse
Last February 22, a press conference was held to tackle issues with regards to the preparation of the Football Cup. It was witnessed by some local officials, friends from the media and other respective guests. People on the Hot seats are the ff: Competitions Department Head - Mr. Cyril Dofitas, acted as the spokesperson for the Philippine Football Federation, the Chairman of the Competitions Committee - Mr. Dick Emperado, the General Manager of Suzuki Philippines Automobile Sales and Marketing Division - Mr. Shuzo Hoshikura, San Carlos City Mayor - Hon. Gerardo P. Valmayor, and Auto Sales and Marketing Manager Suzuki Philippines – Mr. Ferdinand Lasan.
Dofitas Reports
    According to Dofitas statements; there are 10 qualifiers for the regional. The Mindanao Regional Kick-off will be held in Davao on March 4, 2013 while the Luzon Regional Kick-off will be held in UP Los Baños on March 11, 2013.
    The Top 3 teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will qualify to the final round in Cebu on May 18 – 21, 2013 right after the midterm National Elections. By then, there will be six qualifiers with teams divided into two groups who will be kicking their way to the championship game.
Training for the National Team
    These football festivals are held in preparation for shaping the perfect physique and stamina of the aspiring players who want to be part of the Philippine Team competing for medals against International Teams. Dofitas highlighted that it is very important to connect with the Local Government Units, Cities and Municipalities where they get to meet and train good and qualified players.
    The Philippine Football Federation does not only help in making sure that the National Team is ready, but they also help in developing the values of our Filipino Youth. With their football and training programs, a lot of youngsters indeed have swerved from different social problems.
    At present, the PFF focuses on preparing our players for the South East Asian Games. Their programs are made possible with the help of their major sponsor, Suzuki Philippines.
Kick-off
    The Opening Ceremonies was on February 23, 2013 (7:30 A.M.) at the SJRI Football Field. Baticulan Field. The teams were welcomed by San Carlos City Mayor, Hon. Gerardo P. Valmayor. The Technical Director of the Philippine Football Federation addressed an inspirational message for all the participants. The team captain of the National U14 Girls Team of the Philippine Football Federation led the Oath of Sportsmanship. The Chairman of the Competitions Committee, Mr. Dick Emperado did the honor of officially declaring the games open. The ceremonial kick-off was headed by the VIP’s and the guests.