MANILA — Sixteen teams, including Mindanao Cup champion Bukidnon Football Association, will see action in the 1st Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) Luzon Cup slated Nov. 21-24 at the Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Park in San Jose, Tarlac.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has joined NOFA, Central Luzon Football Association (CLFA), Tarlac provincial and city governments, and the Department of Education in staging the Luzon Cup, a football tournament for boys 21 years old and below.
PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the government sports agency will always support activities for sports development.
“I am committed to help NOFA because of its vision to promote the sport and develop players in the grassroots level,” said Ramirez, who was the guest of honor during the launching of the event at the Century Park Hotel on Monday.
The Luzon Cup is the third leg of the NOFA-organized tournaments after the 4th Bacolod Cup and the Mindanao Cup.
NOFA president Ricardo “Ricky” Yanson Jr. said the three tournaments are in line with the “Football Para sa Lahat” (Football for all) which has the objective of partnering with other football associations to hold more tournaments for young players nationwide.
“Our dream, through “Football Para sa Lahat” is to support more tournaments and activities for all age groups. We want more Filipinos to enjoy football and we believe more football development programs will eventually mean more lasting success in the international arena,” Yanson said.
CLFA general secretary Ed Flaminiano has described the Luzon Cup as a boost to football in their area.
“Unlike in Negros Occidental, football is not marketed enough in Luzon. That is what we want to address with the help of NOFA and our other partners. With the Luzon Cup, we hope to extend the love for football and development opportunities for students in both the private and public schools,” Flaminiano said.
“NOFA is known to have organized games, to produce excellent players who have represented the country in international competitions. CLFA is fortunate to have been selected as one of the recipients of NOFA’s program,” he added. (PNA)
