We want all Filipinos to enjoy football.

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez (second from left) backs the staging of Luzon Cup.

In a bid to boost their nationwide grassroots program, the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) and the Central Luzon Football Association (CLFA) organize the first-ever Luzon Cup from 21 to 24 November at the Jose Yap Sports and Recreational Park in San Jose, Tarlac.

A total of 15 football clubs and associations within Luzon and Metro Manila as well as a guest team in Bukidnon Football Association, the newly crowned champion in the Mindanao Cup 2019, are expected to participate in this tourney meant for players who are under 13 and 12 years old.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez threw his all-out support to the tourney, saying that he has a mandate from no less than President Rodrigo Duterte to boost grassroots sports and bring them to the countryside.

“I got interested in football when I was watching the World Cup in 2006,” said Ramirez, who is also the chief of mission of Team Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country will host from 30 November to 11 December.

“That’s when I realized that it should be exposed and be treated as an alternative for our children, especially those in various regions, to get into sports.”

NOFA president Ricky Yanson said their tourney is in line with their “Football Para sa Lahat” program, which aims to partner with other football associations to stage more tourneys in various parts of the country regardless of age categories.

“We want all Filipinos to enjoy football. And we believe grassroots development will eventually mean more lasting success in the international arena,” said Yanson, who is also the vice president of the Philippine Football Federation.

Meanwhile, CLFA secretary general Ed Flaminiano stressed that the tourney will be groundbreaking as football is not as popular in Luzon compared to Negros and some parts of Mindanao.

“Unlike in Negros Occidental, football is not marketed enough in Luzon,” he said.

“And that is what we want to address with the help of NOFA and other partners. With the Luzon Cup, we hope to extend the love for football and development opportunities for students in both private and public schools.”

He added that aside from improving skills, building character and promoting the sport, the Luzon Cup also encourages collaboration among football stakeholders.