THE OLAC Football Club led the winners of the 3rd Copa San Lazaro football tournament at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park (SLLBP) in Carmona, Cavite recently.
Over 40 teams, consisting of 470 players and more than 300 spectators from Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon Province, and Olongapo participated in the one-day tournament organized by the Manila Jockey Club, Inc., the country’s premier horse racing club and one of Asia’s oldest, in cooperation with the Alab Football Club Inc.
Other winners from the different age-category and mixed events include: Eaglets FC (Mixed 2008-2009), Raga FC (Mixed 2006-2007), Atletico Diliman (Mixed 2004-2005), Mabuhay FC (Mixed 2002-2003), DLSU-IS (Boys 2000-2001) and OLAC FC (Girls 2000-2001), and OLAC FC (Mixed Open).
With the goal of providing football enthusiasts with a sporting event that will match their skills with players coming from different football backgrounds and locations, Copa San Lazaro was established in June 2016. It provides an opportunity for young players to develop healthy bodies, sound minds and positive values while enjoying their favorite game.
The tournament is also a fund-raising initiative which benefits two football clubs, namely the MJC Colts, a newfound club based in Carmona, Cavite which caters to the less fortunate but talented players in the area; and the Alab FC, a Los Baños-based club whose funds will be used for equipment purchases and to offset participation fees in high-level competitions such as the Pilipinas Cup, Borneo Cup, and others.
Moreover, Copa San Lazaro is part of MJC’s efforts in spearheading and supporting grassroots football in the Cavite area. This is in line with the company’s partnership with the Philippine Football Federation to develop SLLBP as a football mecca of the Philippines. MJC recently hosted the turnover ceremonies of the FIFA Turf Project, and the groundbreaking ceremony of the PFF House of Football and National Football Center.
The coming months will see more developments in advancing the sport including the construction of related appurtenances such as locker rooms, dormitories and other training facilities.
The Manila Jockey Club was established in 1867. It is one of the oldest existing racing clubs in the Asia Pacific region. Manila Jockey Club, Inc., as a business entity, was formally incorporated in 1937.
MJCI operates the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite, featuring world class horse racing, gaming, and hospitality facilities.