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Friday, March 29, 2024

Take a bow, Alex!

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Due to the Filipinas’ success in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship and their entry to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup next year, it is expected that women’s football in the country will get its much needed boost.

Having said that, it is still much better though to know that indeed there are football events being planned not just for women’s football but for girls as well.

The Designated Kit Man was able to chat with Herbert Lew Magrata, the secretary general of the Olongapo City, Zambales Football Association, and he shared that plans are in the works to host a two-day all girls’ football tournament in December.

Magrata said they are planning to invite teams from neighboring provinces to compete in the seven-a-side tournament which will have at least three age brackets—the Under 12, Under 14 and Women’s Open.

“We came up with the idea since may boom ngayon sa women’s football. Sigurado kasi na marami ang intresado na mga team to join and to participate in the tournament kaya ginawa namin na All-Girls,” Magrata explained.

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He also said the tournament will be open to teams from Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Bulacan and other provinces in Central Luzon. Teams from Metro Manila are also welcome, but participants will be entertained through a first-come, first-served basis.

Magrata says the main purpose of the tournament is to give aspiring girl soccer players in Central Luzon and nearby provinces a venue to showcase their skills. To discover future Filipinas or Malditas and youth team members is also among the hopes of Magrata. Which makes sense, because not all girls who play good soccer are based in Metro Manila – some are in the provinces just waiting to be given the opportunity to play and show what they’ve got.

Aside from the all-girl soccer event in December, Magrata revealed they intend to hold a futsal tournament, too, next month. The Designated Kit Man believes this is the right way to promote football in other parts of the country. Start them young with a good program supported by perseverance, patience, care and concern – then nothing could go wrong.

As we always say in the past, short cuts could only do so much whether in football or even basketball.With so many things in store for Olongapo, it is very heartening to know that football, especially girls’ and women’s, is very much alive and kicking in that part of the country.

Incidentally, Donnie Mapanao, father of former youth team goalie Isabelle Mapanao, is helping Magrata to make the tournament possible during the second week of December. May your tribes continue to increase, good Sirs!

The Philippines got off on the wrong foot to start its campaign in the AFC 2020 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Oman. The boys dropped their opening game in Group G with a 3-0 loss against the hosts at the Al-Saadah Sports Complex yesterday.

And as expected, football fans were not so happy with the way the team played. I may agree with some of their points,especially on how the coaching staff chose who will start and play in the game. Again, learning curves in youth tournaments are not privileges given to our teams. Why not use players who are coming from the domestic league right away? At least these players are match fit, but then again, there is a reason why I’m not part of the coaching staff.

Sometimes, common sense is the first thing we need because things will get even harder as we will next face Thailand tomorrow, September 17 at 12.45 a.m. Manila time. Despite the strong opposition, we are still hoping for a better result against the Thais. The team ends its campaign in the group stage against Afghanistan on Sunday, September 18, at 9 p.m. Manila time.

At least 23 players, including 12 holdovers from the AFF U19 Championship campaign in Indonesia last July, compose the squad helmed by Christopher Pedimonte. Midfielder Sandro Reyes, defender Jaime Rosquillo and forward Andres Aldeguer are in also in the team. Stephan Schrock is also part of the delegation.

The top team in each group, along with the five best second placed squads, will advance to the final round of qualifiers in Uzbekistan next year. Laban lang!

Speaking of laban, the Manila Wrestling Federation crowned its new king at the recently concluded “Road to Fate” at the PETA Theatre Center in Quezon City. Mr. Pinoy Wrestling Jake De Leon outlasted an injured Fabio Makisig to win the title in a three-way championship match that included Nigel “Suplex” San Jose. It was my first time to watch a live show of the MWF and to say that I had fun is an understatement. The seven-bout event was quite a show and hats off to the organizers and of course to the fans. I heard the next big event will be in December and hopefully, I will be able to watch it, too.

On an even better news, the Philippines finally had a grand slam champion after Alex Eala took home the 2022 US Open Juniors Girls title recently. The long-time Globe Ambassador beat reigning French Open Juniors champ Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. With the win, Eala is now at a career-high 297 in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings, the highest-ever position held by a Filipino.

What made the title even sweeter was Eala’s short speech during the awarding ceremony. She spoke in Filipino, which we rarely see and hear. We can feel the sincerity and how proud she is, not only for herself but for the country she represents. In these times of so many challenges and uncertainties, hearing Eala speak in the local tongue is a welcome and much needed relief. Kudos to Mike and Rizza Eala for raising their kids well.

Before I forget, I would like to greet my former boss Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, a very Happy Birthday! May the good Lord continue to bless you with good health, more success and happiness Ma’am Yoly!

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

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