NEGROS OCCIDENTAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (NOFA) PRESIDENT RICKY YANSON STRESSES TO THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE MINDANAO CUP HIS GRASSROOTS PROGRAM IS NOT ONLY FOR ISLAND BUT FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
DAVAO CITY – The 16 teams joining in the inaugural Mindanao Cup got a sweet incentive after organiser and patron Ricky Yanson Jr. announced that the champion team will get an all expense paid ticket to the Luzon Cup set on late November.
“I did not announce this last night but now I am announcing this to all of you that the champion team in this competition will earn a ticket to the Luzon Cup which is set in Tarlac in November,” he said during the opening ceremony Wednesday morning (Oct. 23) at the Tionko pitches in Matina, here in Davao City,
The Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) president added that he is now finalising the schedule of the tournament and the venue with the Tarlac Football Association.Yanson in his speech before the players, coaches, organisers, FA officials from all over Mindanao and football parents, continued to stress his commitment to ‘Grassroots Development’.
“It is our earnest wish that this Mindanao Cup will be the first of the many that NOFA has committed for the development of football not just in Negros Occidental, not just in the Visayas, but also in the entire country,’’ he said.
He also added that the foundation for a strong national team is in the Grassroots Development.
“In line with this, a Grassroots tournament like the Mindanao Cup enhances the experience of the young players. It improves their skills, scouts for potential national athletes, and creates a solid football community.
’’Yanson also named the five principles of FIFA Grassroots Football Philosophy which are: 1) Football is for everyone, football can be played by everyone regardless of gender, religion, ethnic or social background, and level of fitness. 2) Football can be played everywhere, and anywhere, 3) Football is a school of life. 4) Football is also fun and 5) Kids should be kids.
He ended his speech by thanking all the players, parents, teams, the FA’s who have joined NOFA and the Davao FA in these efforts.
“Thank you very much for your support. I wish the participants not just luck but congratulations, because in Grassroots football everyone is a winner.’’
All the 16 teams from Mindanao saw action the entire day in the elimination round Wednesday (Oct. 23. 2019). The elims will resume Thursday (Oct. 24, 2019) morning while the quarterfinals in this 9-aside competition for boys born 2008-2009 will be in the afternoon.
The semis will be on Friday (Oct. 25, 2019) morning while the championship, the battle for third place and the awarding ceremonies will be on Friday afternoon.
Aside from the trip to Tarlac, the champion team and other winners will win trophies and medals.(l.biantan@gmail.com)
