(L-R) FELIX QUERUBIN OF IRRAWADDY FOUNDATION, KEITH BUYCO OF NOFA, NEGROS OCC. GOVERNOR EUGENIO JOSE ‘BONG’ LACSON, AND PROVINCIAL SPORTS OFFICER ANTHONY CARLO AGUSTIN DURING THE CEREMONIAL KICKOFF.
COACH John B. Carmona’s Dolphins FC is now making waves in the City of Smiles, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental after they successfully held the 2nd Dophins FC football cup over the weekend.
A total of 190 teams in 13 divisions joined the 2-day competition held at the scenic Bantug Lake Ranch resort at the rural barangay of Granada in Bacolod City.
John Carmona was a lengendary midfielder for the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City and the Philippine national team during the 90’s. He is also an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) A Licensed coach and instructor.
He started his Dolphins FC in his hometown in San Carlos City in 2012 to encourage the 3, 4, and 5-year old kids to start playing and having fun through football. He then relocated to Bacolod City in 2018 and brought along his club.
WHY DOLPHINS
Carmona said that his club has an advocacy to preserve the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins which live along the shores between Guimaras Island and Negros Occidental.
Carmona added that he decided to hold a football festival to expose the players from the different clubs and team from Cebu, Negros, Iloilo and Mindanao.
The first Dolphins Cuo was held in 2019 at the Panaad stadium which attracted 150 teams. “The feedback was positive due to a well organise festival with wide pitches and balanced ground rules so we decided to hold another one this year,” he added.
Even when the COVID 19 pandemic is still lurking at the corner, some 190 teams from ages 2, 4, 5, 6-10, 11-15, Men;s and Women’s Open, Men’s 38 and 45 and above, joined the competitions last March 19-20.
“We partnered with the province through governor Eugenio Jose ‘Bong’ Lacson to promote tourism, healthy lifestyle, and develop the youth to be good citizens,’ Carmona added.
“We consider the festival as a re-boot of football after two years of no contact sport policy due to the COVID Pandemic. We maintained the health standards required to promote healthy lifestyle to adults and children,” Carmina said.
No less than Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. ‘Bong’ Lacson was the grace of honor during the opening program. Also present during the opening were Provincial Sports Officer Carlo Agustin, Bantug Lake Ranch Marketing Associate Natasha Martina Bantug, Keith Buyco and Miguel Villamor of Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA).
Agustin, Buyco, Valmayor, and Felix Querubin of the Irrawaddy Research Foundation also kicked the ceremonial football with Governor Lacson. (jackbiantan@yahoo.com)
