100 Mindanao teams join 25th Aboitiz Football Cup in Davao

DAVAO CITY — Around 100 teams from across Mindanao are expected to compete in the 25th season of the Aboitiz Football Cup, which kicks off from 28 February to 1 March at the Tionko Football Grounds.

“Since its inception, the tournament has engaged more than 2000 teams and over 50,000 players nationwide, making it one of the country’s most impactful grassroots football programs,” said Enric Zak Tia, president and CEO of Davao Light and Power Company, during the launch on Friday, 13 February.

The 25th anniversary launch also featured the signing of a memorandum of agreement among key partners led by Davao South Regional Football Association president Ernie Ortonio Jr., Welfredo Dalumpines of Impact Load Climate Action of the Aboitiz Foundation Inc., organizer Liza Kriztel Dureza-Valencia of CR7 Foodtruck and tournament director Arman Valencia of CR7 Foodtruck.

Thirteen age-group categories, including the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions, will be featured in Season 25.

“For nearly three decades, the AFC has served as a national platform for youth development, competitive excellence, and values formation through sport,” Ortonio added.

Champions in the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions will advance to the AFC Champions League set in the last week of May at the Aboitiz Pitch in Batangas.